Iran apprehends 20 individuals identified as Mossad agents, threats severe retribution
In recent years, Iran has intensified its efforts to root out alleged Israeli spies, particularly following escalations in conflict with Israel around 2025. This crackdown has been marked by a series of arrests, trials, and executions of individuals accused of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been at the forefront of these operations, conducting raids and arrests in various regions across the country. In August 2025, Iran executed at least one man openly accused of spying for Israel, alongside others accused of sabotage or terrorism linked to opposition groups.
This pattern of activity continued, with Iranian authorities arresting 20 alleged Mossad spies amid what has been described as an "execution spree" following a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran. The detention of these individuals signaled a crackdown on suspected espionage networks embedded inside Iran.
Interestingly, Mossad’s approach has evolved over the past 15 years by increasingly recruiting foreign-born Iranian dissidents and covert operatives. These operatives, after recruitment and training abroad, re-enter Iran to participate in covert operations frequently targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities. If caught by Iranian authorities, they face the grave risk of summary execution.
The use of Iranian nationals or third-country citizens rather than Israeli operatives inside Iran reflects a shift in Israel’s espionage tactics to minimize direct exposure and increase the operational footprint inside Iran.
These developments highlight Iran’s ongoing counterintelligence efforts, with the arrests, trials, and executions of suspected Israeli spies being a core part of its defense against Israeli covert operations. The severity and frequency of executions suggest Tehran views espionage linked to Mossad as a critical national security threat warranting harsh punishment.
In summary, Iran’s history of executing alleged Mossad spies is marked by recent escalations in arrests and executions amid broader regional conflicts and covert operations dating back about 15 years, with intensified activity around 2025. The exact number of detainees released has not been specified, but it is clear that Iran continues to vigilantly pursue and punish those accused of spying for Israel.
The ongoing counterintelligence efforts by Iran include a focus on rooting out alleged Israeli spies, as evidenced by the arrests, trials, and executions of individuals accused of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. This is not limited to domestic politics but extends to general news and crime-and-justice sectors, as the use of Iranian nationals or third-country citizens by Mossad reflects a shift in Israel’s espionage tactics, emphasizing minimal direct exposure and expanding operational footprints in Iran.
