In a significant move, Iran announced the execution of an individual accused of espionage on behalf of Israel, marking the first such execution since the country’s conflict with the US and Israel intensified.
The executed individual, Kourosh Keyvani, was apprehended during the 12-day conflict that occurred last June. Allegedly, he provided Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, with photographs and information regarding sensitive sites, as reported by the Mizan Online platform.
Tehran stated, “This morning, a spy for the Zionist regime, who had been supplying images and data about sensitive national locations to Mossad agents, was executed.”
Reports indicate that Keyvani had undergone training not only in Tel Aviv but also in six unnamed European nations. Israel has yet to issue a response regarding the execution, according to the Times of Israel.
Iran has a reputation for conducting trials that are often criticized as unfair, leading to the execution of individuals accused of espionage and those involved in protests.
In a legislative move last year, Iran enacted a law imposing the death penalty for those found guilty of spying for Israel or the United States.
“All deliberate assistance is condemned as corruption on Earth,” the law stated, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency.
The execution comes as the clerical regime launched retaliatory attacks on Wednesday over the death of top security official Ali Larijani.
Iran’s Tasnim News Agency has shared video showing missiles reportedly bound for Tel Aviv being launched.
One of the missiles Tehran claims to have launched is a Khorramshahr-4, which has a range of 1,242 miles and can carry a nearly 4,000-pound warhead.
Amir Hatami, the Iranian army commander-in-chief, warned that the response to Larijani’s assassination will be “decisive and regrettable.”
Missile attacks on Israel were carried out in “revenge for the blood” of Larijani and his companions, according to the regime. Iran has consistently claimed Larijani was martyred in Tuesday’s airstrike.
Senior military official Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, who has been sanctioned by the US Treasury, warned President Trump he must “wait for our surprises.”
Aliabadi claimed Iran’s response would be “more devastating than the actions and imagination of the enemy,” according to the Tasnim News Agency.
Iran’s wave of attacks saw a couple in their 70s killed in Ramat Gan – east of Tel Aviv – and a Tel Aviv train station was damaged.
The couple died just “a few meters from the safe room,” Haim Sargerof, the Tel Aviv District Police Commander, said.
Video, taken in a Tel Aviv residential area and seen by CNN, showed a vehicle on fire and debris strewn across the road.
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Arab states also faced barrages of Iranian-fired missiles and drones Wednesday that were intercepted by air defense systems.
Meanwhile, Israel has continued its operations in Lebanon – with explosions heard in Beirut on Wednesday.
Israel’s strikes have displaced more than 1 million Lebanese — roughly 20 per cent of the population — according to the Lebanese government, which says more than 900 people have been killed.
IDF officials have warned residents in southern Lebanon to evacuate as forces work to eradicate Hezbollah strongholds.
“Hezbollah’s terror activities are forcing the IDF to act forcefully against it in that area, and it does not intend to harm you,” Col. Avichay Adraee, the army spokesperson, said.
With Post wires.
