Hossein Pedaran during televised confession
Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published September 19, 2026 it
Iran has executed a man convicted of espionage and intelligence cooperation with Israel, according to Iranian authorities, which accused him of providing information about sensitive military and missile sites to Israel’s Mossad intelligence service.
Iranian judiciary-run Mizan News identified the man as Hossein Pedaran and said his death sentence had been upheld by the Supreme Court before it was carried out.
Accused of Passing Information on Missile Sites
According to Iranian authorities, Pedaran provided Mossad with information about military facilities and missile sites in Isfahan province, including information concerning personnel working at the facilities.
Iran’s judiciary said the alleged espionage took place during the 12-day conflict involving Iran and Israel. Authorities claimed that some of the sites for which information was allegedly provided were subsequently targeted.
Mizan also published what it described as Pedaran’s confessions. According to the Iranian account, he initially attempted to contact the CIA before establishing contact with a Mossad operative. Iranian authorities said he transmitted encrypted reports and received payment for his activities.
Iran Says Supreme Court Upheld Death Sentence
Iranian authorities said Pedaran was arrested in Isfahan on espionage-related charges connected to the conflict.
The judiciary said he was convicted of espionage and intelligence cooperation with Israel and that the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence before the execution was carried out.
The authorities did not provide detailed information about the date of his arrest or the judicial proceedings leading to his conviction.
Questions Over the Evidence
Details surrounding the case remain difficult to independently verify.
Iranian authorities presented Pedaran’s alleged confessions as evidence of his cooperation with Mossad. However, rights groups have previously raised concerns about the use of confessions obtained during detention in Iranian espionage cases.
Iran International reported that Iranian authorities have carried out a series of executions involving people accused of cooperating with Israel during the conflict. Reuters likewise described Pedaran’s execution as part of a broader series of espionage-related death sentences.
The allegations against Pedaran and the circumstances under which his statements were obtained have not been independently established.
Wider Wave of Espionage Executions
The execution comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel and a series of espionage cases brought by Iranian authorities.
Iran has previously executed individuals it accused of working for Israel’s intelligence service. Iranian authorities have also accused suspected Israeli agents of transmitting information about military and security targets during periods of conflict.
The latest case comes against a backdrop of heightened Iranian security concerns over intelligence operations targeting the country’s military infrastructure.
Isfahan’s Strategic Importance
Isfahan is particularly significant to Iran’s military and strategic infrastructure. The province hosts sensitive military facilities and nuclear-related sites and has been among the locations targeted during recent hostilities.
The Iranian government’s decision to announce the execution publicly also comes as Tehran continues to emphasize the threat posed by foreign intelligence operations.
For Israel, intelligence collection on Iranian missile capabilities and military installations has been a longstanding security priority.
The Broader Conflict
The execution highlights how the conflict between Iran and Israel extends beyond direct military strikes.
While Iranian authorities describe Pedaran as a convicted spy who provided valuable military intelligence to Israel, independent verification of the government’s allegations remains limited. The case also raises broader questions about due process and the treatment of espionage defendants in Iran.
The execution comes as tensions between Tehran and Jerusalem remain high, with intelligence operations forming an important component of the broader confrontation between the two countries.
🧩 Bottom Line:
Iran’s execution of Hossein Pedaran comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Israel and a broader Iranian crackdown on alleged espionage. Iranian authorities say Pedaran provided sensitive military and missile-site information to Mossad, but independent verification of those allegations and the circumstances surrounding his reported confessions remains limited.
The case highlights how intelligence operations have become an increasingly important part of the wider Iran-Israel confrontation, while also raising questions about due process in Iran’s handling of espionage cases.
SOURCES: SAHARA REPORTERS – Iran Executes Man Accused Of Spying For Israel, Passing Missile Intel To Mossad
IRAN INTERNATIONAL – Iran executes man it accused of spying for Israel on missile sites
