Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Jun 16: Iran on Monday executed Esmaeil Fekri, convicted of espionage for Israel’s Mossad, as tensions between the two rivals escalate into direct conflict. Fekri was found guilty of "corruption on Earth" and "moharebeh" (waging war against God), according to Iran’s judiciary. His execution followed legal review and Supreme Court confirmation.

The execution comes amid a wave of arrests and a call by Iran’s Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei for expedited trials of suspected Israeli collaborators, citing wartime urgency. "Punishment should be swift and public," he said.

The latest developments come as long-standing covert hostility between Israel and Iran spills into open conflict. Israel’s surprise strikes on Friday targeted Iranian nuclear and military assets, reportedly killing at least 224 people, including scientists and military leaders. Iran’s retaliatory attacks have left 24 dead in Israel.

Both nations continue to detain individuals accused of spying. Iranian police in Alborz province arrested two suspected Mossad operatives, while Israel claimed to have captured two citizens allegedly working for Iranian intelligence.

The escalating crisis underscores the growing risks of a wider regional conflict, as espionage charges and battlefield casualties mount on both sides.