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Iran on Sunday executed two men who were convicted of working with Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency and planning attacks inside the country. The executions were carried out after Iran’s Supreme Court upheld their death sentences.
This is the latest in a series of executions as part of a sweeping crackdown in Iran, targeting individuals accused of espionage, links to banned opposition groups, and anti-state activities amid rising regional tensions.
According to a Reuters report, the two men are identified as Mohammad Masoum Shahi and Hamed Validi. Authorities said that they were part of a spy network linked to Mossad and had received training abroad, including in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. They were found guilty of charges such as “enmity against God” and cooperation with hostile groups.
According to the report, the sentences were confirmed by Iran’s highest court before being implemented.
This is not the first execution in Iran. Since the start of the conflict in West Asia, Iran has executed a number of men after accusing them of working with adversaries.
In one case, Iran executed two individuals, identified as Abolhassan Montazer and Vahid Baniamerian, for alleged links to the People’s Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), a banned opposition group. Authorities accused them of attempting “rebellion through involvement in multiple terrorist acts” and trying to undermine the Islamic Republic.
The MEK confirmed the executions, stating that the men had been arrested in January 2024 and that their death sentences were upheld in December 2025. The group has long been accused by Tehran of carrying out attacks and working against the state.
The latest executions are part of a series of similar actions in recent days. Iranian authorities have executed several individuals accused of ties to the MEK or foreign intelligence agencies.
Earlier this month, four other people linked to the MEK were executed. A man accused of working for Israel and the United States during anti-government protests was also hanged. In March, three individuals convicted of killing police officers during protests were executed, along with Kouroush Keyvani, a dual Iranian-Swedish national accused of spying for Israel. His execution drew criticism from European officials.
These developments come amid heightened tensions in the region following ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The situation has increased pressure within Iran, with authorities taking a tougher stance against those accused of internal dissent or foreign collaboration.
The MEK, which once supported Iran’s 1979 revolution but later fell out with the leadership, now operates in exile. The group has accused the Iranian government of using executions to suppress political opposition.
Iranian officials have issued strong warnings against what they describe as “traitors” and foreign-backed elements. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said that those working against the state will face severe consequences.
State media and officials have also warned protesters and members of the Iranian diaspora against criticising the government. Authorities have threatened legal action, including property confiscation, against those seen as supporting hostile activities.
The recent executions underline Iran’s continued use of capital punishment in cases involving national security, espionage, and political opposition.
This is the latest in a series of executions as part of a sweeping crackdown in Iran, targeting individuals accused of espionage, links to banned opposition groups, and anti-state activities amid rising regional tensions.
According to a Reuters report, the two men are identified as Mohammad Masoum Shahi and Hamed Validi. Authorities said that they were part of a spy network linked to Mossad and had received training abroad, including in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. They were found guilty of charges such as “enmity against God” and cooperation with hostile groups.
According to the report, the sentences were confirmed by Iran’s highest court before being implemented.
Executions linked to opposition group
This is not the first execution in Iran. Since the start of the conflict in West Asia, Iran has executed a number of men after accusing them of working with adversaries.
In one case, Iran executed two individuals, identified as Abolhassan Montazer and Vahid Baniamerian, for alleged links to the People’s Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), a banned opposition group. Authorities accused them of attempting “rebellion through involvement in multiple terrorist acts” and trying to undermine the Islamic Republic.
The MEK confirmed the executions, stating that the men had been arrested in January 2024 and that their death sentences were upheld in December 2025. The group has long been accused by Tehran of carrying out attacks and working against the state.
String of recent executions
The latest executions are part of a series of similar actions in recent days. Iranian authorities have executed several individuals accused of ties to the MEK or foreign intelligence agencies.
Earlier this month, four other people linked to the MEK were executed. A man accused of working for Israel and the United States during anti-government protests was also hanged. In March, three individuals convicted of killing police officers during protests were executed, along with Kouroush Keyvani, a dual Iranian-Swedish national accused of spying for Israel. His execution drew criticism from European officials.
War and rising tensions
These developments come amid heightened tensions in the region following ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The situation has increased pressure within Iran, with authorities taking a tougher stance against those accused of internal dissent or foreign collaboration.
The MEK, which once supported Iran’s 1979 revolution but later fell out with the leadership, now operates in exile. The group has accused the Iranian government of using executions to suppress political opposition.
Crackdown warnings
Iranian officials have issued strong warnings against what they describe as “traitors” and foreign-backed elements. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said that those working against the state will face severe consequences.
State media and officials have also warned protesters and members of the Iranian diaspora against criticising the government. Authorities have threatened legal action, including property confiscation, against those seen as supporting hostile activities.
The recent executions underline Iran’s continued use of capital punishment in cases involving national security, espionage, and political opposition.
