Iran Executes Three for Espionage, Arrests 700 Amid Tensions with Israel

In a dramatic escalation following a recent 12-day conflict with Israel, Iran has executed three men accused of spying for the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and detained nearly 700 others as part of an intensified national security crackdown. The executions and arrests mark one of the most sweeping internal purges seen in Iran in recent years.

The Iranian judiciary confirmed on June 25 that the three men—identified as Idris Ali, Azad Shojai, and Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul—were hanged at Urmia Prison in West Azerbaijan province. According to official reports, the trio had allegedly smuggled weapons and surveillance equipment into Iran and had actively assisted in carrying out assassinations on behalf of Mossad. The charges included espionage, aiding enemy operations, and compromising national security.

These hangings follow three earlier executions on similar charges in recent weeks. The Iranian government claims that the arrests and executions are part of a larger effort to dismantle what it calls a “vast espionage network” operating within the country. Authorities allege that those arrested were involved in smuggling drone technology, sharing strategic data, and aiding Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure.

The wave of arrests—reportedly exceeding 700 individuals—took place during and after a recent flare-up between Iran and Israel that began on June 13. The conflict saw Israeli and U.S. forces launching targeted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, prompting a sharp backlash from Tehran. In response, Iran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and launched an unprecedented internal security sweep.

Paramilitary groups like the Basij were deployed across multiple provinces to conduct road checks and surveillance raids as part of the operation. Officials insist that the crackdown was necessary to preserve internal stability and safeguard national sovereignty amid heightened foreign threats.

As tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv simmer under a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire, Iran’s aggressive security response signals its intent to take firm control of internal dissent and foreign infiltration. The developments have drawn international attention, with concerns rising over human rights, due process, and regional escalation.