Iran Executes Two Men Convicted of Having Ties to Israeli Intelligence

Iran on Monday executed two men convicted of having ties to Israel's intelligence agency, the judiciary said, the latest in a series of executions since the outbreak of the war with Israel and the United States.

"The death sentences of Mohammad Masoom-shahi and Hamed Validi were carried out at dawn today (Monday)," the Mizan Online website of the judicial authorities reported, citing Al Arabiya from AFP (20/4).

It said the two men were "members of a spy network linked to the Mossad", Israel's intelligence agency, but did not say when they were arrested.

They were convicted of the grave offense of "moharebeh," which means waging war against God, as well as "collaboration with hostile groups and the Zionist regime," Mizan reported.

Iran is known to have carried out many executions since the start of the war with the United States and Israel on February 28.

Tensions eased with a two-week ceasefire that took effect on April 8.

Iran is the world's second-largest executioner after China, according to overseas-based rights groups.