04/25/2026April 25, 2026Iran says it executed man working for Israel over sabotage in 2026 protests

Iran said on Saturday that it had hanged an Iranian allegedly working for Israel’s spy agency ⁠for vandalism and violence during January’s mass anti-government protests  .

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency identified the individual as Erfan Kiani.

The agency described him as a “hired thug ‌of Mossad,” who, it said, had engaged in ‌the ​destruction and arson of public and private ​property in the ⁠central ​city of ​Isfahan, Reuters news agency reported.

Kiani ‌was hanged early in the ​morning ⁠after his sentence was confirmed ⁠by ​the Supreme Court, according to the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan Online website.

The judiciary accused him of “destruction of public and private property, arson, possession and use of Molotov cocktails, carrying a bladed weapon, blocking vehicle routes, attacking officers, and creating fear and panic among citizens,” news agency AFP reported, citing Mizan Online. 

The anti-regime protests earlier this year were sparked by Iran’s ailing economy.

The widespread demonstrations were met with a bloody crackdown as authorities moved to crush dissent. 

Kiani’s hanging is the latest in a series of executions that have been ramped up in recent weeks, since war broke out with Israel and the United States.

Iranian authorities have executed nine men on charges linked to the protests since March 19, according to AFP.