Iran said Monday it has hanged a man convicted of spying for the United States and Israel, the latest execution amid its on-going war with the two enemies.
“Erfan Shakourzadeh… Was hanged on grounds of having cooperated with US intelligence services and the Mossad spy service,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online website reported.
It gave no details on the timing of his arrest and execution but said he “worked in a scientific organization in the country which is active in the satellite field.”
Iran has been accused by Western nations over many years of using its satellite program for military purposes, particularly its ballistics program.
Mizan said Shakourzadeh “knowingly and willingly provided information” that included “classified documents” to both the CIA and the Mossad.
Human rights organizations say Iran is the world’s second-most prolific executioner after China.
The Oslo-based Iran Human Rights group estimates the Islamic Republic executed at least 1,500 people in 2023, a figure that would place it among the world’s highest.
Iran has been engaged in war with the US and Israel since the end of February, though an April 8 ceasefire is in effect.
Executions in Iran have spiked during its current war, notably on charges of espionage and those related to security.
On the same day of last week’s execution of Shakourzadeh, Tehran executed three other men convicted of taking part in anti-government riots which swept Iran in December and January.
