Iran executes alleged Israeli spy as tensions continue to rise

Iran has reportedly executed an alleged Israeli spy, as tensions between the two nations continue to rise.

The individual had been linked to Mossad, the Israeli intelligence body, state television networks reported on Saturday.

“This person communicated with foreign services, specifically Mossad, collecting classified information, and with participation with associates, provided documents to foreign services, including the Mossad,” a report by Iran’s IRNA news agency said, according to Reuters.

It said the accused had handed classified information to a “Mossad officer” with the aim of generating “propaganda for groups and organizations opposed to the Islamic Republic”, but did not give further details.

The alleged spy, who has not been named, was executed in a prison in Zahedan, the capital of the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan.

In April 2022, Iranian intelligence officers arrested three people they alleged were working for a Mossad-linked group, but it is not clear if the individual is one of the three.

The IRNA said their appeal had been rejected.

Iran and Israel are considered to be locked in a proxy war, considering one another the predominant threat to themselves in the Middle East.

Iran does not recognise Israel and supports anti-Israeli armed groups across the region, including Hezbollah and Hamas.

The war between Israel and Hamas has fractured relationships between the two states further and led to fears of a wider regional conflict.

Iran has repeatedly criticised Israel’s attacks in Gaza and warned last month that the conflict will “inevitably expand” if bombardment and military incursions continue.

Israel said that any attack by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group would have “devastating” consequences, while Tehran warned that the Middle East is poised to “go out of control”.