Amid ongoing tensions with the United States and Israel, Iran has intensified its internal security crackdown, carrying out the execution of two individuals on charges of espionage for Israel. The executions were reported on Saturday, sparking renewed international concern over the country’s growing use of capital punishment in security-related cases.
The individuals were identified as Yaghoob Karimpour and Naser Bakarzadeh. According to Iranian authorities, both were accused of providing sensitive information related to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and other classified locations to Israel. The alleged intelligence was reportedly passed to Israel’s external intelligence agency, Mossad, raising serious concerns about national security breaches.
The executions were carried out in the Natanz nuclear site region, located in Iran’s central Isfahan province. Iranian judicial authorities stated that both individuals were convicted by a court on charges of espionage and sentenced to death following legal proceedings. The sentence was implemented shortly after the final verdict, officials confirmed.
This incident marks the second such execution within a two-week period. Earlier, on April 20, Iran had also executed two other individuals on similar charges of spying for Israel. Iranian authorities claimed that the accused had undergone training abroad, including in Iraq, before engaging in intelligence activities inside the country.
Meanwhile, international human rights organizations, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, have expressed serious concern over the increasing number of executions in Iran. Reports indicate that at least 21 individuals have been executed since the escalation of regional tensions, while more than 4,000 people have reportedly been detained on security-related charges, although Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed these figures.