Intelligence operations, detentions, and enacted sanctions... insights into the Mossad pursuit instigated by Iran's ruling authority
Iran Syphons Spies Under Fiery Skies
Unlock the latest news as Iran kicks off a fierce crackdown on those accused of working for Israel's intelligence agency—Mossad. Since Israel's invasion in June 2025, the Islamic Republic has been doggedly hunting down potential agents, tightening its grip on the worried populace and shutting down any whispers of dissent.
Spy Games Intensify
The recent surge in tension and violence between Iran and Israel has sent the Iranian regime into a frenzy, hunting down suspected Israeli spies. With over 700 arrests in just twelve days, the crackdown is relentless and unforgiving.
Hanging Three—And Counting
In a chilling display of their might, Iran has executed three suspected Israeli agents on June 25, 2025. The men, Idris Ali, Azad Shojai, and Rasoul Ahmad, were found guilty of attempting to import assassination equipment into the country. They also collaborated with Mossad, as Iranian authorities claimed. These separations of justice took place in Ourmia, a city nestled in northwest Iran near the Turkish border.
Other deaths followed in rapid succession. On June 16, a man linked to Mossad was swiftly hanged, with at least one other agent executed since the start of Israel's offensive.
Tourists Gone Rogue
The Iranian security forces have not limited their pursuit to citizens alone. They've apprehended several European nationals as well, charged with spying for Israel. A man held in the south on June 23 entered the country posing as a tourist; he was accused of collecting information on military and sensitive sites. Earlier in the month, Iranian authorities nabbed yet another European national, described as an "agent" working for Israeli intelligence.
At least two dozen Westerners remain detained in Iran, according to AFP, including French couple Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who have been incarcerated for over three years without trial.
Accelerated Jails
In the wake of the American airstrikes, Iran's judicial system has promised to speed up proceedings related to espionage accusations. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, head of the judicial system, vowed to expedite trials of Israeli collaborators, labeling them as part of the "fifth column" and the enemy's "agents." True to his words, on June 18, Iran’s parliament approved a bill to bolster punishments for espionage and cooperation with foreign governments—Israel, the U.S., and others included. The new legislation designates intelligence, espionage, and any actions in support of these nations as "corruption on Earth," a crime punishable by death.
Human rights organizations, however, denounce the expedited trials as an attempt by the regime to suppress dissent and maintain control. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights, asserts that the Islamic Republic needs increased repression to hide its military failures, prevent demonstrations, and cement its hold on power.
Amnesty International concurs, condemning the use of the death penalty as a means of suppressing potential protests and executing individuals without fair trials. Concerns about Turkish abuses—including torture and enforced disappearances—persist, as many detainees remain silent after enduring severe punishment.
The Face of Repression
Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at the British think tank Chatham House, warns of drastic and long-lasting repressive measures in the wake of the crackdown. With tensions still running high, Iran continues to flex its muscles in a bid to assert strict control over any suspected acts of espionage related to Israel.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between Iran and Israel have led to a significant intensification of politics, as the Iranian government obtainsWidth increased control and carries out a relentless crackdown on any suspected Israeli spies, which includes arresting over 700 individuals in just twelve days (Spy Games Intensify).
- In the realm of crime-and-justice, the Iranian government has resorted to extreme measures, such as executing those found guilty of collaborating with Israeli intelligence agency—Mossad, a striking demonstration of the government's harsh approach to such general-news matters (Hanging Three—And Counting).
