Iran has arrested 20 people it alleges are operatives of the Mossad spy agency in recent months, the judiciary says, warning that they will face no leniency and will be made an example of.
On Wednesday, Iran executed a nuclear scientist named Rouzbeh Vadi, who was convicted of spying for Israel and passing on information on another nuclear scientist killed in Israel’s airstrikes on Iran in June, state media reported.
Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangiri tells reporters in Tehran that charges against some of the 20 suspects arrested had been dropped, and they were released. He does not give a number.
“The judiciary will show no leniency toward spies and agents of the Zionist regime, and with firm rulings, will make an example of them all,” Jahangiri is quoted as saying by Iranian media.
He says full details will be made public once the investigations are complete.
Executions of Iranians convicted of spying for Israel have significantly increased this year, with at least eight death sentences carried out in recent months.
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