Iran’s judiciary says it is investigating 20 people arrested on suspicion of having ties to Israel, following the recent 12-day war between the two countries.
Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir told reporters in Tehran on Saturday that the cases were already under review by investigators, and updates would be provided as proceedings progressed.
Iran’s intelligence ministry announced in late July that it had detained “20 spies, Mossad operational and support agents, and elements connected to Israel’s intelligence officers” in Tehran and several other provinces.
The arrests came weeks after mid-June, when Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, killing senior military commanders, nuclear scientists, and hundreds of others. The strikes targeted military facilities, nuclear sites, and residential areas. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks.
Authorities have promised swift and harsh trials for those accused of collaborating with Israel. “The judicial system will not show any mercy… and will teach a lesson to all spies with firm rulings,” Jahangir said.
On Wednesday, Iran executed Roozbeh Vadi, who was convicted of spying for Israel by sharing information on Iranian nuclear sites and scientists. According to the Fars news agency, Vadi worked at the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, a subsidiary of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.
Iranian media also published a screenshot of an academic paper co-authored by Vadi with two nuclear scientists — Ahmad Zolfaghar and Abdolhamid Minouchehr — both of whom were killed during the war.
What you should know
Iran is investigating 20 suspects accused of working with Israel’s Mossad after the recent conflict.
The arrests follow an Israeli bombing campaign that targeted military and nuclear facilities. Authorities have vowed severe punishments, with one convicted spy already executed.
