ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iranian authorities on Wednesday executed a man convicted of spying for Israel, the judiciary announced, marking the first such execution since the current war with the US and Israel broke out. 

“The death sentence of a Zionist regime spy, who had been supplying images and information, especially about the country’s sensitive locations, to Mossad officers was carried out this morning,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online website said. 

The man, identified as Kouroush Keyvani, was allegedly spying for Israel during the 12-Day War in June and was found in possession of spy devices, according to Mizan. 

Keyvani’s execution marked the first hanging on spying charges since the beginning of the current war with the US and Israel. 

It also said that he received training in “six European countries and in Tel Aviv.” 

The US and Iran launched a large-scale offensive against Iran in late February, killing top officials such as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

On Tuesday, Iran confirmed that Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), had also been killed. 

Iran, in turn, has carried out retaliatory attacks across countries in the region and a wider military escalation.

Amid its retaliatory strikes targeting 12 regional countries, Iran has expanded its attacks from US diplomatic missions and airports housing an American military presence to hotels, neighborhoods, and other civilian infrastructure, claiming US personnel and intelligence are using them as hiding spots.