Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spy as Regime’s Internet Blackout Persists

Latest Developments

• A Fraudulent Execution: Iran hanged a 26-year-old man accused of spying for Israel, the Islamic Republic’s state media announced on June 23. According to the Norway-based nonprofit Iran Human Rights (IHR), Tehran first arrested Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi-Shayesteh in the fall of 2023, elicited a false confession under torture, and subjected him to an unfair trial devoid of meaningful evidence. “According to case documents, he was the ringleader of a cyber network linked to Mossad and had knowingly cooperated with the Zionist regime’s intelligence,” Iran’s judiciary stated. It also accused Mahdavi-Shayesteh of maintaining “close ties” with the London-based dissident media outlet Iran International, which denied the charge.
• A Series of Israeli Espionage Convictions: IHR stated that the fatality marked the third execution in one week on false espionage charges. The group also noted that Tehran has executed at least 10 people since the beginning of the Iran-Israel conflict on June 13 and more than 590 people this year alone. At least nine other men are at risk of execution on allegations of spying for Israel, according to IHR. In April and May, Tehran hanged 34-year-old Mohsen Langarneshin and 41-year-old Pedram Madani, respectively, on similar charges.
• Internet Blackout in Iran Continues: In the days after Israel launched targeted strikes against key Islamic Republic targets, Iran’s clerical regime imposed internet outages on large swaths of the country — an apparent effort to control media narratives and undermine Iranians’ ability to organize protests. Some internet connection resumed over the weekend, The New York Times reported. Tehran has routinely imposed internet blackouts during periods of nationwide protest to restrain dissent.

FDD Expert Response

“Amid its absolute security and intelligence failure, the regime’s security apparatus is punishing innocent people and dissidents to scare Iranians and project an image of strength and competence.” — Saeed Ghasseminejad, Senior Iran and Financial Economics Advisor

“Tehran’s failure to thwart the Mossad’s central role in Israel’s recent operation once again highlights the regime’s inability to disrupt real Israeli espionage activities. Yet in an effort to save face, the Islamic Republic continues to stage sham trials — not to combat infiltration but rather to instill fear at home. These performative prosecutions do not serve as tools of national defense but as instruments of domestic intimidation aimed at deterring internal dissent.” — Janatan Sayeh, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“5 Oppressive Iranian Institutions Israel has Targeted,” by Janatan Sayeh

“Israel cannot settle for a temporary military win, it must topple the Islamic regime,” by Saeed Ghasseminejad

“Weakened Tehran Regime Hangs Innocent Man on Espionage Charges in Attempt to Show Strength,” by Tzvi Kahn

“‘The Top Executioner’: Iran Executed at Least 975 People in 2024,” FDD Flash Brief