Iran executes man who worked in 'satellite field' for allegedly spying for Mossad, CIA
The Times of Israel • • general
Key Points:
- Iran executed Erfan Shakourzadeh, a 29-year-old aerospace engineering graduate, on charges of spying for Israel and the United States, according to the judiciary's Mizan Online website.
- Shakourzadeh was accused of passing classified information to the CIA and Mossad while working at a scientific organization involved in Iran's satellite program, which Western countries suspect is linked to ballistic missile development.
- Rights group Iran Human Rights Society claims Shakourzadeh was arrested in 2025 and forced to confess, highlighting concerns over coerced confessions in Iran's judicial process.
- Iran is one of the world's leading executioners, with at least 1,500 executions reported last year, and has increased executions since the outbreak of conflict with Israel and the US in February.
- Recent executions have targeted individuals accused of espionage and involvement in anti-government protests, reflecting Tehran's intensified crackdown amid ongoing tensions.