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The Iranian judiciary stated that Hossein Pedaran was hanged after the Supreme Court upheld his death sentence for espionage and intelligence cooperation with Israel. According to the judiciary-run Mizan news agency, Pedaran passed information on sensitive missile sites in the central province of Isfahan to Israel’s Mossad. Mizan reported that the spying took place for financial gain during the 12-day war with Israel and the United States. The agency described the case as involving direct collaboration that threatened national security.[[1]](https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2026/09/19/iran-executes-man-convicted-of-spying-for-israel-s-mossad-judiciary-says)
Mizan did not specify when Pedaran was arrested or sentenced but confirmed that legal proceedings were completed before the execution. The judiciary presented the case as part of intensified measures against suspected spies following the outbreak of conflict. Pedaran’s conviction centered on providing data that could have aided Israeli targeting of Iranian military assets. Such announcements have become more frequent as authorities seek to deter similar activities.[[1]](https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2026/09/19/iran-executes-man-convicted-of-spying-for-israel-s-mossad-judiciary-says)
The war began on February 28, 2026, with US and Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, according to a Britannica overview of the 2026 Iran Conflict. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks across the region in the ensuing 12 days of fighting that caused significant casualties and damage. The judiciary has linked several recent executions to offenses committed amid that confrontation. Pedaran’s execution fits within this sequence of security-related cases.[[3]](https://www.britannica.com/event/2026-Iran-Conflict)
Iran carries out the second-highest number of executions worldwide after China, rights groups including Amnesty International have documented over multiple years. Since the February war, the pace of such penalties for espionage charges has increased markedly, with Mizan publicizing several similar hangings. The agency has portrayed those convicted as having been recruited through online channels or financial incentives by Israeli handlers. This latest case underscores ongoing efforts to address perceived vulnerabilities exposed during the conflict.[[2]](https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2026/05/24/iran-hangs-man-for-spying-during-war-with-us-israel-judiciary)
Mizan noted that Pedaran’s actions specifically targeted facilities tied to Iran’s missile program in Isfahan, a hub for defense production. The report emphasized that the information was intended to facilitate potential assassinations or strikes framed in ways that could damage Iran’s international standing. Iranian officials have repeatedly vowed swift justice in these matters to protect strategic sites. The execution took place as regional tensions from the earlier war continue to shape security policies.[[1]](https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2026/09/19/iran-executes-man-convicted-of-spying-for-israel-s-mossad-judiciary-says)
The judiciary has conducted reviews at the highest levels for all such sentences before they are carried out by hanging. In Pedaran’s instance, the process followed standard procedures for espionage convictions. Mizan has used these announcements to highlight the success of intelligence operations that led to the arrests. Authorities maintain that these steps are essential for safeguarding the country against external threats.
