Iran says it executed 4 for ‘collaboration’ with Israel’s Mossad

Iranian judiciary alleges that the three men and a woman carried out ‘extensive actions against the country’s security’

Illustrative: A picture obtained from the Iranian Mizan News Agency on October 16, 2022 shows empty bunk beds inside the notorious Evin prison, northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran. (Photo Koosha Mahshid Falahi / Mizan / AFP)
Illustrative: A picture obtained from the Iranian Mizan News Agency on October 16, 2022 shows empty bunk beds inside the notorious Evin prison, northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran. (Photo Koosha Mahshid Falahi / Mizan / AFP)

Iran executed four “saboteurs” linked to Israel’s Mossad intelligence service, the Mizan news agency affiliated to the judiciary said on Friday.

“Four members of a sabotage team associated with the Zionist regime, who had committed extensive actions against the country’s security under the guidance of Mossad officers, were executed this morning following legal procedures,” it said.

It identified them as three men — Vafa Hanareh, Aram Omari and Rahman Parhazo — and one woman, Nasim Namazi, who had all been sentenced to death on charges of “moharebeh,” or waging war against God, and “corruption on Earth” through their “collaboration with the Zionist regime.”

Tehran frequently claims to foil Mossad operations in the country, but the veracity of such claims is unclear.

Iran has previously announced the arrests of alleged agents working for foreign countries, including Israel.

Earlier this month, Iran executed a man who was sentenced to death after being convicted of working with Israel’s intelligence services, the judiciary said.

A demonstrator holds up a sign reading ‘Stop Executions in Iran’ as Iranian opposition protesters carry their national flags in Paris during a rally to protest the visit of the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, in France, January 28, 2016. (AP/Zacharie Scheurer)

The judiciary’s Mizan Online said the unidentified man had been convicted of “intelligence cooperation and espionage for the benefit [of] the hostile Zionist regime.”

He was also found guilty of “collecting and providing classified information to the Mossad spy service with the aim of disrupting public order,” Mizan added.

Iran does not recognize Israel and the two countries have engaged in a shadow war for years.

The United States and Israel accuse Iran of using drones and missiles to attack US forces and Israel-linked ships in the Gulf, and of backing terror groups including Hamas and Hezbollah.

Tehran accuses Israel of carrying out a wave of sabotage attacks and assassinations targeting its nuclear program.

According to human rights groups, including Amnesty International, Iran executes more people per year than any other nation except China.

In a November report, the Norway-based Iran Human Rights group said the Islamic Republic had executed more than 600 people so far this year, marking the highest figure in eight years.

Iran generally carries out executions by hanging.

Most Popular
read more: