Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spy Bahman Choobiasl Amidst Rising Executions

Execution Confirmed by Iranian Judiciary

On Monday, September 29, 2025, Iran announced the execution of Bahman Choobiasl, who was accused of being a spy for Israel's Mossad intelligence service. The Iranian judiciary's official news outlet, Mizan, identified Choobiasl as 'one of the most important spies for Israel in Iran'. His case had not been widely reported in Iranian state media or by human rights activists prior to the execution.

According to Mizan, Choobiasl was a database systems expert who had engaged in 'extensive and deliberate cooperation with the Israeli intelligence service in the field of databases'. He was also accused of working on 'sensitive telecommunications projects' and reporting on the 'paths of importing electronic devices'. The judiciary claimed that Mossad's primary objective in recruiting him was 'to obtain governmental databases and infiltrate Iran's data centers'.

The Iranian authorities alleged that Choobiasl met with Mossad operatives during several trips to countries including Armenia, India, and Ireland, where he reportedly received specialized training and financial rewards. He was convicted on charges of 'corruption on earth' through collaboration with a foreign intelligence service. His appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court, which upheld the death sentence.

Context of Increased Executions

Choobiasl's execution comes amidst what human rights organizations describe as the largest wave of executions in Iran in decades. This marks at least the tenth execution for espionage related to Israel since a 'June war with Israel' that involved Israeli airstrikes and Iranian retaliation.

Human rights groups have voiced alarm over the escalating number of capital punishments in Iran. Reports indicate that over 1,000 people have been executed in Iran so far in 2025, a figure that surpasses the total for the previous year. The UN Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council noted that Iran appears to be conducting executions 'at an industrial scale', with an average of more than nine hangings per day in recent weeks.

The surge in executions includes individuals convicted of drug-related offenses, political prisoners, and members of minority groups, who are disproportionately affected. Earlier this month, Babak Shahbazi was also executed on charges of spying for Israel, though activists disputed the claims, suggesting he was tortured into a false confession.

International Reactions and Iran-Israel Tensions

The execution follows a period of heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, which have been engaged in a long-running shadow war that escalated into direct confrontations earlier this year. The execution also occurred as the United Nations and the European Union reimposed sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear program.

Iran frequently accuses individuals of spying for Israel without providing public evidence, and trials for such charges are often conducted behind closed doors, raising concerns about due process. Israel has not publicly commented on Choobiasl's execution, though it has previously acknowledged conducting covert operations within Iran.