Iran executes ‘terrorist’ over alleged links to Israel attacks

Iran’s judiciary has executed a “terrorist” over last year’s drone attack on a defense ministry building in central Iran, state media reported on Sunday.

According to state television, the man “planned to blow up a defense ministry workshop building in Isfahan under the guidance of intelligence officials from the Israeli spy agency Mossad.”

The execution date and the identities of the defendants are unclear at this time.

Iran has several known nuclear research sites in the Isfahan region, including a uranium conversion plant. The country’s sanctioned nuclear program has been the target of sabotage, assassinations of scientists and cyberattacks.

Tehran accuses Israel of conducting several covert operations on its territory.

Iran’s intelligence ministry said in February 2023 that it had arrested “key actors” involved in the drone attack on the Defense Ministry base in Isfahan, home to the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility.

Last month, air defense systems destroyed a drone and two other drones exploded in attacks on defense facilities in the province, officials said at the time.

The night attack caused no casualties and only minor damage, according to the Defense Ministry.

Authorities gave no details about the activity at the site, but the Islamic News Agency said the attack targeted “an ammunition manufacturing plant.”

Iran has been engaged in a shadow war with its arch-enemy Israel for years.

Last August, Iran claimed to have foiled a “very sophisticated” plan launched by Mossad to “destroy” its ballistic missile industry.

In January, Iran hanged four members of its Kurdish minority on charges of spying for Israel. They were convicted of cooperating with Israel in a plan to sabotage Iranian defenses in Isfahan.

In April 2021, Tehran announced that it had begun producing 60% enriched uranium at the Natanz base, a day after Iran accused Israel of launching an attack on the Natanz base.

Israel’s war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip has heightened tensions since October. Iran supports Hamas in the war but denies direct involvement in its attacks or military operations by allied armed groups in countries from Lebanon to Yemen.