Iran Executes Architecture Student Over Israel’s Mossad Espionage Charges

Iranian authorities carried out the execution of Aghil Keshavarz on Saturday, following his conviction for espionage activities on behalf of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency and military apparatus. This action represents a continuation of Tehran's stringent measures against perceived foreign infiltration, particularly in the wake of escalated tensions stemming from a brief but intense 12-day aerial confrontation with Israel in June, which inflicted substantial casualties and targeted high-profile individuals on both sides.

State media outlets prominently identified the condemned individual as a 27-year-old architecture student accused of engaging in extensive intelligence cooperation with Mossad operatives. Officials claimed Keshavarz had undertaken more than 200 covert missions, primarily involving the photographic documentation of critical military installations and security sites across multiple Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, with his arrest occurring in May while capturing images of a military headquarters in the northwestern city of Urmia.

The judicial process culminated in a death sentence delivered through a closed-door trial—a standard procedure in Iran's handling of espionage cases—where defendants are frequently denied full access to evidentiary materials or independent legal representation. The verdict received final affirmation from the Supreme Court, paving the way for the execution by hanging, aligning with the country's established penal practices for such offenses.

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This incident forms part of a broader pattern, as Iran has reportedly executed at least 11 individuals on similar espionage charges since the June conflict, which saw Israeli strikes result in nearly 1,100 deaths within Iran, including prominent military commanders and nuclear scientists, contrasted by 28 fatalities in Israel from Iran's subsequent missile retaliations. A prior execution in Qom during October further illustrates the accelerated pace of these proceedings.

The case highlights Iran's proactive stance in countering alleged Israeli espionage networks, amid persistent accusations of mutual covert operations between the two adversaries. International observers and human rights organisations have repeatedly voiced concerns over the opacity, expedited nature, and potential lack of due process in these trials, contributing to debates surrounding the surge in capital punishments within the Islamic Republic.

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