Iran hangs citizen accused of spying for US and Israel

TEHERAN — Iranian authorities hanged a citizen named Mojtaba Kian on Sunday, 24 May 2026. The sentence was imposed after Kian was found guilty of espionage for Israel and the United States during the conflict between the two nations and Iran.

“Mojtaba Kian… who sent information related to the country’s defence industry units to the enemy, was hanged this morning,” wrote Mizan Online, the website of Iran’s Justice Ministry, as cited by Al Arabiya.

This is the first publicly known execution for espionage related to the Iran-US-Israel conflict. According to Mizan Online, Kian transmitted information about Iran’s defence capabilities during a nearly 40-day war.

“Kian sent several messages to enemy networks affiliated with the Zionist-American enemy, including coordinates and details of facilities producing defence industry components,” Mizan Online reported.

Mizan stated that Kian sent information to a satellite television network, though the specific network was not disclosed. Iranian authorities frequently accuse foreign-based Persian-language media of collaborating with Israel.

According to Mizan, one target site in Iran was attacked after Kian leaked its location. The execution took place less than 50 days after his arrest, and his assets were also seized.

However, Mizan did not provide details about Kian’s background, including his age, education, or occupation.

Iran has repeatedly hanged individuals proven to be affiliated with Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, with such executions often made public.