Iran executes Hossein Pedaran for spying for Israel's Mossad

Iran's judiciary announced the execution of Hossein Pedaran, an Iranian national convicted of spying for Israel's Mossad. Pedaran provided sensitive information about military and missile sites in Isfahan province. The death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court. The execution occurred amid Iran's increased use of the death penalty since the start of the Middle East war in February 2025. Iran executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, the highest annual figure since 1989, according to rights groups.