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Iran executes three more prisoners accused of spying for Israel

Iran executed three men on Wednesday who were accused of spying for Israel, according to the state-run IRNA news agency, bringing the total number of espionage-related executions to six since mid-June amid continued tensions between the two countries.

The men were hanged in Urmia Prison, located in Iran’s West Azerbaijan Province near the Turkish border. The judiciary alleged that they had smuggled “assassination equipment” into the country, IRNA reported.

The three men were identified as Azad Shojaei, Edris Aali, and Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul, an Iraqi national. Amnesty International had previously expressed concern about their imminent execution and criticized the lack of transparency and due process in Iran’s judicial system.

Iran has ramped up executions since the start of its conflict with Israel, raising fears among human rights groups of a broader wave of state-sanctioned killings following the conflict’s apparent de-escalation.

Activists warn that the Iranian government may continue to target suspected dissidents or foreign-linked operatives under the guise of national security. Over the weekend, authorities issued a deadline for individuals accused of espionage to turn themselves in, fueling speculation that more executions could follow.

Since hostilities with Israel intensified, Tehran has offered conflicting accounts of casualties. On Tuesday, Iranian authorities put the national death toll at 606 with 5,332 wounded. Human Rights Activists, a U.S.-based group that monitors events in Iran, released its own figures on Wednesday, reporting at least 1,054 deaths and 4,476 injuries from Israeli strikes. The group said it had identified 417 civilian and 318 security force deaths.

The war has also taken a toll on Israel, where at least 28 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded, according to official estimates.

Amid a fragile ceasefire negotiated by President Donald Trump, life in Iran has begun to show signs of normalization. State media reported heavy post-holiday traffic in areas around the Caspian Sea as residents made their way back to Tehran.

The capital, which endured sustained Israeli airstrikes during the conflict—including hits on key military and government facilities—remains on high alert, even as the ceasefire appears to be holding.