Iran has executed Aghil Keshavarz, a 27-year-old architecture student convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, marking the tenth execution related to espionage since the June 2025 Israel-Iran conflict. Judicial authorities confirmed that the execution took place on the morning of December 20, 2025, after Iran’s Supreme Court upheld Keshavarz’s conviction, according to the official Mizan news agency.

The case highlights Tehran’s intensifying crackdown on alleged collaborators following the 12-day war involving Israel, the United States, and Iran earlier this year.

Details of the Espionage Allegations

Keshavarz, who was arrested earlier in 2025 in the northwestern city of Urmia, was accused of conducting over 200 espionage missions for Mossad across major Iranian cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Urmia, and Shahroud. Authorities claimed that his alleged activities included:

• Photographing military and strategic sites.
• Conducting opinion polls to gather intelligence.
• Monitoring traffic patterns near sensitive locations.

The Iranian judiciary stated that Keshavarz communicated with Israeli intelligence officials via encrypted messaging platforms and received cryptocurrency payments for completing missions. Officials described him as having “knowingly cooperated” with Mossad with the intent to harm Iran’s Islamic Republic.

Legal and Political Context

In response to rising concerns over espionage, Iran strengthened its laws in October 2025, making espionage for Israel and the US punishable by death and asset confiscation. This legislative change follows years of heightened tensions, economic unrest, and public protests over issues ranging from women’s rights to calls for regime change.

Human rights organizations, including Iran Human Rights, have previously criticized similar espionage convictions, suggesting that suspects are often coerced or tortured into providing confessions. Amnesty International also highlighted the broader human cost of the June conflict, reporting over 1,100 casualties from Israeli attacks targeting Iranian military, nuclear, and civilian sites.

The June 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict

The June war saw a series of air strikes, missile attacks, and drone operations involving Israel and the US targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities. The conflict resulted in widespread casualties and significantly escalated tensions in the region. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone strikes against Israeli targets.

Keshavarz’s execution reflects Tehran’s intensified focus on internal security and its determination to punish individuals accused of aiding foreign intelligence services during a period of heightened geopolitical instability.

International Reactions and Human Rights Concerns

The execution of Keshavarz is likely to draw international scrutiny given ongoing concerns over Iran’s use of the death penalty for espionage cases. Human rights organizations continue to call for transparent trials and due process for individuals accused of collaboration with foreign intelligence agencies.

As Iran navigates the aftermath of the June 2025 conflict and ongoing domestic unrest, the government’s actions signal a continuation of its hardline approach to alleged espionage and national security threats.