Iran executes high-profile Mossad agent

International Research and News Department 30-09-2025

Iran has carried out the execution of Bahman Choobiasl, described by Tehran’s judiciary as “one of the most significant spies for Israel” operating inside the country. The move marks the 10th execution for espionage since June’s devastating 12-day war launched by Israel with Washington’s backing, further highlighting the depth of the covert war waged against the Islamic Republic.

A spy embedded in sensitive projects

According to Mizan, the judiciary’s official news agency, Choobiasl had been working on critical telecommunications projects when he was recruited by Mossad. His alleged mission, officials say, was to penetrate Iranian governmental databases and compromise the country’s data centers, an operation aimed at undermining Iran’s sovereignty and technological security.

The agency reported that Mossad’s objectives included not only securing sensitive databases but also tracking the routes by which Iran imports electronic equipment. This information, if compromised, could have given Israel a dangerous advantage in its hybrid war against Tehran.

The Supreme Court upheld Choobiasl’s conviction on charges of “corruption on earth”, a capital offense under Iranian law, after dismissing his appeal. His death sentence follows closely on the heels of the execution of another convicted spy, Babak Shahbazi, earlier this month.

Iran’s authorities have long emphasized that the country is entangled in a shadow war with Israel, one that stretches back decades but intensified sharply after the June conflict. Over the past several months, Tehran has taken a firm stance against espionage, executing individuals accused of providing intelligence and logistical support to Mossad.

Ten executions for espionage have now been officially confirmed since June. Iranian officials argue these measures are vital to defending the nation against infiltration attempts designed to weaken its military, scientific, and technological progress.

Disputed narratives

While Western-based activist organizations attempted to cast doubt on the convictions, claiming, for instance, that Shahbazi had been coerced into confession, the Iranian judiciary has consistently defended its judicial process. Officials stress that Mossad’s infiltration network inside Iran is extensive and well-documented, pointing to assassinations of nuclear scientists, sabotage of research facilities, and repeated attempts to destabilize Iranian infrastructure.

The narrative presented by Western NGOs, many of which are linked to governments hostile to Tehran, is viewed by Iran and its allies as an attempt to shield Israel from accountability while demonizing the Islamic Republic’s legitimate security measures.

The June war and its aftermath

The executions are part of Iran’s wider response to the brutal 12-day war in June, in which Israel, with direct U.S. support, carried out a massive aerial assault on Iranian cities and infrastructure. The strikes targeted senior Iranian generals, nuclear scientists, and civilian neighborhoods.

According to reports, more than 1,100 Iranians were killed in the bombings, which drew widespread condemnation across the Global South. In retaliation, Tehran launched waves of missiles and drones, striking Israeli military bases and energy installations, a move that underscored Iran’s growing deterrence capabilities.

Washington’s role in the conflict was evident, with the U.S. military conducting strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities to serve Israeli strategic interests. For many in the region and beyond, the June war represented yet another example of American complicity in destabilizing West Asia in favor of Tel Aviv’s expansionist agenda.

Alongside these security cases, Iran has seen a surge in executions in 2025, partly in response to domestic unrest and partly due to what officials describe as attempts by foreign powers to incite instability inside the country.

Human rights organizations based in Europe and the U.S., such as Iran Human Rights (IHR) and the Abdorrahman Boroumand Centre, reported that over 1,000 executions took place in 2025. Yet Tehran maintains that these figures are exaggerated and politically motivated. While not all executions are publicized, Iranian officials argue that the death penalty remains an essential tool in countering espionage, drug trafficking, and violent crime during a period of extraordinary external pressure.

Sanctions and international dynamics

The geopolitical landscape surrounding Iran has grown more complicated. On Sunday, after nearly a decade, United Nations sanctions on Tehran were reinstated through the so-called “snapback” mechanism of the 2015 nuclear agreement. European signatories triggered the clause despite staunch objections from Russia and China, who argue that the West is weaponizing international institutions to strangle Iran economically.

Moscow and Beijing have consistently defended Iran’s right to develop its peaceful nuclear program and resist external aggression. Both powers, alongside India, have emphasized the importance of a multipolar world where unilateral Western dictates no longer dominate. The return of sanctions is seen as part of Washington’s broader strategy to isolate Iran, weaken its economy, and curb its regional influence.

For ordinary Iranians, the sanctions spell renewed hardship: inflation, reduced trade, and constrained access to international markets. Yet many in Tehran believe the country’s strategic partnerships with Russia, China, and emerging economies like India will help offset Western pressure and ensure Iran’s resilience.

The bigger picture

Iran’s execution of Choobiasl is not an isolated event but part of a larger confrontation. For decades, Israel, backed by Washington, has pursued a strategy of targeted assassinations, cyber sabotage, and proxy wars to curtail Iran’s rise as a regional power. At the same time, the Islamic Republic has responded with determination, building alliances across Asia and strengthening its defense capabilities.

The fallout from the June war demonstrates that the region is entering a new era where U.S. hegemony is increasingly challenged. China’s growing economic footprint, Russia’s military backing, and India’s role in balancing power have created a multipolar environment that leaves Washington and Tel Aviv more isolated than before.

Conclusion

The execution of Bahman Choobiasl sends a clear signal: Iran will not tolerate foreign espionage or attempts to undermine its sovereignty. At a time when Israel and the United States continue their destabilizing interventions, Tehran’s response, though criticized by the West, is seen by many across Asia and the Global South as a legitimate defense of national security.

With sanctions reimposed and war clouds looming, Iran’s resilience, coupled with support from Russia, China, and India, will remain central to shaping the future balance of power in West Asia and beyond.