DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has executed a man accused of espionage on behalf of Israel, marking a continuation of a significant surge in executions within the country. This latest execution involves Bahman Choobiasl, whose case had not been reported extensively in Iranian media outlets or recognized by activists monitoring the death penalty in the Islamic Republic.
The Iranian government alleges that Choobiasl engaged with officials from the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad. According to Iran’s Mizan news agency, which serves as the official voice of the judiciary, Choobiasl was involved in “sensitive telecommunications projects” and provided information regarding the “routes for importing electronic devices.” This suggests that Iranian authorities view him as a significant threat to national security.
In recent years, Iran has been the site of numerous nationwide protests, primarily motivated by widespread dissatisfaction with the economy, the demand for women’s rights, and calls for systemic change within the country’s theocratic governance. The unrest has placed additional pressure on the Iranian regime, which has responded with harsh crackdowns.
In reaction to this civil unrest and the conflicts exacerbated by external factors, including the June war, Iran has escalated its use of capital punishment, executing prisoners at a rate not witnessed since 1988. During that time, thousands were executed in the wake of the Iran-Iraq war, reflecting a period of heightened political repression.
The Oslo-based organization Iran Human Rights, along with the Washington-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran, has reported a staggering number of executions in 2025, estimating the total to exceed 1,000. They have cautioned that the true number of executions could be even higher, as Iranian authorities do not consistently disclose details surrounding each execution.
This drastic rise in executions highlights the Iranian regime's ongoing attempts to assert control amid growing societal dissent. By prioritizing severe punitive measures, the government appears to be signaling its intolerance for dissent and its commitment to maintaining the current political status quo.
