Iran executes man accused of spying for Israel on missile sites

Iran executed Hossein Pedaran on September 19 for allegedly providing information about Iranian missile sites to Israeli intelligence, according to the country's judiciary. The sentence was carried out following the upholding of Pedaran's conviction by the Supreme Court, despite the case not previously being reported by the media.

Pedaran was accused of "espionage and intelligence collaboration" in favor of Israel, facing charges in connection with the ongoing Middle East conflict that began in February and the nationwide protests that peaked in January. The execution comes amid heightened arrests and executions in Iran, with numerous missile sites targeted throughout the war and Isfahan province, which houses Iranian nuclear sites, being particularly affected.

In August, the judiciary also executed two men accused of transmitting coordinates of sensitive military and security sites to Israel. Iran ranks second in the world for executions, following China, according to rights groups.