Iran executes two men accused of spying for Israel

Iran's judiciary has confirmed the execution of two men, Omid Behzad and Pouria Safvat, who were convicted of spying for Israel. The judiciary's media outlet, Mizan, reported that the men were hanged on the morning of the third day of the month, accused of transmitting coordinates of sensitive military and security facilities to agents of Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad.

The report did not specify when Behzad and Safvat were arrested or tried, only stating that they were found guilty of espionage and collaboration with the "Zionist regime." This execution is the latest in a series of capital punishments carried out in Iran for alleged espionage activities.

International human rights organizations have expressed grave concern over the escalating number of executions in Iran. Amnesty International condemned the "continuous escalation" of the death penalty, following Iran's announcement of two men being executed for participating in anti-government protests. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization and the Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty reported that Iran executed at least 1,639 people last year, the highest number since 1989.

Since the outbreak of conflict between the United States and Iran on February 28, Iran has seen a significant increase in the implementation of the death penalty. The executions of Behzad and Safvat highlight the ongoing tensions and security concerns within the region, as well as Iran's stringent approach to espionage charges.