Dozens dead, thousands arrested, alleged Israeli spy executed as Iran protests move into day 11
Abdanan, Iran. January 6, 2025. (photo credit: SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)
Entangled in a decades-long shadow war with Israel, Iran has executed many people it has accused of having links with Israel’s intelligence service and facilitating its operations in the country.
Protests in Iran moved into their eleventh day on Wednesday, and a man has reportedly been executed for spying for Israel as the rising death toll from the demonstrations also reportedly hit at least three dozen.
According to the Human Rights Activist News Agency, of the at least 36 people who have lost their lives during the protests, 34 have been demonstrators and two have been security and law enforcement forces.
The deaths have been part of demonstrations that spread through 92 cities across 27 provinces, resulting in the arrests of at least 2,076 people, according to the agency.
The number of people dead or arrested in Iran saw a significant jump over the past day, with the number of people detained nearly doubling.
Going into Tuesday, HRANA reported at the time that the death toll was at least 29 and the number of people arrested was at least 1,203.
PEOPLE WALK on a street, as protests erupt over the collapse of the currency’s value, in Tehran, Iran, January 5, 2026. (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)
Iran executes man accused of spying for Israel
According to the Iranian judiciary’s media outlet Mizan, the man Iran executed for allegedly spying for Israel was named Ali Ardestani.
Entangled in a decades-long shadow war with Israel, Iran has executed many people it has accused of having links with Israel’s intelligence service and facilitating its operations in the country.
“The death sentence of Ali Ardestani for the crime of espionage in favour of the Mossad intelligence service by providing the country’s sensitive information was carried out after approval by the Supreme Court and through legal procedures,” Mizan said.
Dozens detained for espionage, executions increasing
Executions of Iranians convicted of spying for Israel have significantly increased this year, following a direct confrontation between the two regional enemies in June, when Israeli and US forces struck Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In recent years, the Revolutionary Guards have detained dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on espionage and security-related charges.
Rights groups and some Western countries have accused the Islamic Republic of using such arrests to gain leverage in negotiations. Tehran denies arresting people for political reasons.
