Iran Executes Nuclear Worker Over Alleged Mossad Espionage Amid Rising Tensions with Israel

Iran executed a former employee of its Atomic Energy Organization on Wednesday after convicting him of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, according to the country’s judiciary and multiple human rights organizations.

The judiciary identified the man as Mehdi Farid, stating he had worked at a “sensitive organization” and maintained online contact with Mossad officers. He was hanged early Wednesday morning following a final verdict approving the death sentence.

Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based NGO that monitors executions in Iran, said Farid had been employed by the Atomic Energy Organization when he was arrested on May 31, 2023. He was initially sentenced to 10 years in prison, but in a new trial in July 2025, was sentenced to death on charges of spying for Israel after an appeal from the prosecutor.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) also confirmed Farid, aged 55, was an employee of the atomic energy organization and that the retrial resulted from prosecutorial appeal.

The judiciary’s Mizan Online website stated that Farid was executed for “extensive cooperation with the terrorist spy service Mossad” after the case was examined and the final verdict approved. He had been convicted of the capital offense of “corruption on earth.”

Two NGOs based outside Iran said Farid had worked for the Iranian atomic energy organization. His execution marks the latest in a series of hangings of high-profile convicts linked to Iran’s nuclear sector and alleged ties to Israel, a trend that has alarmed rights groups in recent months.

In October, the rights group Hengaw reported that Iran executed Javad Naeimi, described as a nuclear engineer working at the Natanz facility, after convicting him of spying for Israel.

The execution underscores ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear program and allegations of espionage involving foreign intelligence services.