Iran Hangs 2 Men, Including 6th Alleged Israeli Spy Since War Began
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · May 14
Iran Hangs 2 Men, Including 6th Alleged Israeli Spy Since War Began
9 articles · Updated · CBS New York · May 14
Iranian authorities on Wednesday executed two men: Ehsan Afreshteh, 32, convicted of spying for Israel, and Mohammad Abbasi, sentenced to death over the killing of a police officer during January protests.
Mizan Online said Afreshteh had been trained by Mossad in Nepal and sold sensitive information to Israel, while Abbasi's case was tied to the protest crackdown.
Norway-based groups Hengaw and Iran Human Rights said Afreshteh denied passing top-secret documents and was subjected to televised forced confessions obtained through torture.
Afreshteh was the sixth man Iran has hanged on alleged spying-for-Israel charges since the U.S.-Israeli war began, underscoring a wider surge in executions during the conflict.
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Iran’s Deadliest Crackdown in Decades: 1,500+ Executions and Thousands Killed in Protest Suppression (2025–2026)
Overview
Iran has dramatically increased executions, with at least 1,500 people put to death in 2025, one of the highest rates in the world. Many detainees, especially those linked to anti-government protests or accused of espionage amid tensions with the US and Israel, face the death penalty. The judiciary chief has vowed to speed up hangings to target perceived enemies. While officials defend these actions as necessary for national security, activist groups report closed-door trials and forced confessions. This surge in executions highlights a broader pattern of repression and lack of due process in Iran.