Iran hangs Erfan Kiani, a self-described ‘Mossad operative,’ for vandalism and violence during recent protests
The Iranian flag is seen flying over a street in Tehran, Iran, February 3, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS
Iran said it had hanged an Iranian working for Israeli intelligence on Saturday for vandalism and violence during nationwide protests this year, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
It said Erfan Kiani, a “hired thug of Mossad,” had engaged in the destruction and arson of public and private property, spreading fear and terror across the central city of Isfahan, and wielding a machete. He was hanged early in the morning after his sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court and following legal procedures, Tasnim said.
Read: Iran says dual national held for espionage is Swedish
Iran executed a man in December 2025 on charges of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad. This brings the number of convicts Iran has executed on espionage charges since June this year to 10.
The executed man had been identified as Aghil Keshavarz, a 27-year-old architecture student. Keshavarz was arrested by soldiers earlier this year in the northwestern city of Urmia, reportedly while taking photographs of a military headquarters.
According to investigative authorities, the accused confessed to taking these photographs for Israel, for which he had received money from Mossad. Iran’s Supreme Court was informed that Keshavarz carried out more than 200 missions for Israeli intelligence in various cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Urmia and Shahroud. For these missions, Keshavarz was paid in cryptocurrency after completing each assignment, according to authorities.
