Iran hangs three accused of spying for Israel, smuggling equipment for assassination

Three suspects were executed in Iran on Wednesday after being found guilty of assisting Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, and smuggling equipment used in an assassination of a figure inside the country.

According to Reuters, Iranian news agencies reported that authorities did not disclose the name of the personality, who was assassinated with the smuggled equipment.

The hanging happened in Urmia Prison in Iran’s western Azerbaijan province, where three were identified as Azad Shojaei, Edris Aali, and Iraqi national Rasoul Ahmed Rasoul.

They were executed over fears of risk to national security after the Iran-Israel war ended.

According to Tasnim news agency, Iranian prosecutors indicted 23 people in Khuzestan province. The suspects were accused of espionage.

Prior to the recent stoppage of war, Iran had executed several individuals convicted of having connections with Mossad and facilitating anti-state operations in the country. 

Read: Iran hangs another Israeli spy affiliated with Mossad's cyber network

The recent war between Iran and Israel left at least 28 killed and more1,000 wounded in Israel, while according to the death toll put by the Iranian government, at least 606 individual lost their lives, while 5,332 sustained injuries in Israeli attacks. 

After a fragile ceasefire negotiated by US President Donald Trump took hold, Iranians cautiously resumed their daily lives.

Despite concerns over potential violations, many people in Tehran and other cities welcomed the pause in Israel's airstrikes, which had targeted key military and nuclear sites. 

State media reported increased traffic as people returned to cities like Tehran, which bore the brunt of intense Israeli attacks during the conflict. While some residents expressed relief, others remained sceptical about the ceasefire's longevity, fearing it might be short-lived.