Iranian authorities carried out the execution of Ali Ardestani early Wednesday morning, following his conviction for espionage activities on behalf of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, as reported by state media outlets including IRNA and the judiciary's Mizan news agency. Ardestani was accused of providing sensitive classified information to Israeli handlers, marking another escalation in Tehran's crackdown on alleged foreign agents amid ongoing regional hostilities.

According to official accounts, Ardestani confessed to relaying images, footage, and details of restricted locations and targeted individuals to Mossad officers. He maintained both virtual and in-person contacts with Israeli-linked operatives inside Iran, receiving payments in cryptocurrency after completing assigned missions. Prosecutors stated that he was motivated by promises of a multimillion-dollar reward and a British visa, having been initially recruited through online channels before deeper involvement.

The case progressed through Iran's judicial system, with the death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court after reviews in lower courts, ensuring all legal procedures were followed, Iranian officials emphasized. Details regarding the timing and location of Ardestani's arrest and detention were not disclosed in the reports, consistent with the opaque handling of national security matters in such proceedings.

Also Read: Death Toll in Iran Protests Rises to 35 Amid Economic Hardship

Human rights organizations and international observers have raised concerns over Iran's reliance on capital punishment for espionage charges, pointing to patterns of coerced confessions, closed-door trials, and limited access to independent defense counsel. Critics argue that these executions often serve political purposes, particularly in the context of heightened tensions with Israel and Western nations.

This execution brings the total to at least 12 individuals put to death for alleged espionage since the intense June air war between Israel and Iran, which resulted in nearly 1,100 deaths on the Iranian side—including senior commanders and nuclear scientists—and 28 in Israel from retaliatory missile strikes. The conflict has left both nations on sustained high alert, fueling accusations of covert operations and further destabilizing the region.

Also Read: Israel Will Stop Iran From Rebuilding Missile, Nuclear Programs: Netanyahu