Iran says it has hanged an alleged agent working for Israel who was accused of sabotage during the country’s recent nationwide protests, state‑linked outlet Tasnim reported on 25 April 2026. Judicial and security authorities described the man as a “spy” and “saboteur” acting on instructions from Israeli intelligence, saying he played a role in fuelling unrest and targeting critical infrastructure during the anti‑government uprisings earlier this year. The execution was carried out under Iran’s Islamic Penal Code provisions on “corruption on earth” and cooperation with “hostile foreign intelligence services,” which often carry the death penalty in such cases.
Tasnim and other Iranian media did not reveal the individual’s full identity or exact age, but said he was arrested several months ago following internal investigations that linked him to a network suspected of receiving guidance and support from Israeli intelligence operatives abroad. Authorities claimed the man had helped organise and direct protest‑related vandalism, cyber‑operations and attacks on public facilities, portraying the execution as a deterrent to further foreign‑backed subversion. The judiciary stated that the sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court and carried out in line with established legal procedures, even as international human‑rights groups have repeatedly criticised Iran’s use of capital punishment in politically sensitive trials.
This execution is the latest in a series of similar cases over the past year, with Iran announcing the hanging of multiple individuals allegedly linked to Israel’s Mossad and other foreign agencies amid heightened domestic protests and an ongoing covert war with Israel. Tehran has framed these trials and punishments as part of a broader campaign to root out espionage and protect national security, while critics argue that the espionage charges are often used to silence dissent.