Daijiworld Media Network – Tehran

Tehran, Apr 20: Iran on Monday executed two men convicted of having links with Israel’s intelligence agency, amid a series of executions since the outbreak of conflict involving the United States and Israel.

According to the judiciary’s Mizan Online website, the death sentences of Mohammad Masoom-shahi and Hamed Validi were carried out at dawn.

The report stated that the two men were members of a spy network linked to Mossad, though details regarding the timing of their arrest were not disclosed.

They were convicted of “moharebeh” — a capital offence under Iranian law meaning waging war against God — along with charges of collaborating with hostile groups and the “Zionist regime”.

Iran has carried out multiple executions since the conflict involving the United States and Israel escalated on February 28. A fragile two-week ceasefire has been in effect since April 8.

According to international rights groups, Iran remains the world’s second most prolific executioner after China.