Iran hangs grad student accused of spying for the CIA

Iran executed Erfan Shakourzadeh, a 29-year-old post-graduate student from Tehran’s Iran University of Science and Technology, on Monday after convicting him of espionage for allegedly collaborating with the CIA and Israel’s Mossad. Authorities claimed Shakourzadeh provided sensitive information about satellite technology, including details about his workplace, access levels, and duties, which they said would be broadcast on state television. Rights groups Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Norway-based Hengaw disputed the charges, calling them fabricated. Shakourzadeh, described as an elite student who graduated in electrical engineering from the University of Tabriz and was pursuing a master’s in aerospace engineering, wrote a final message before his execution. He denied the allegations, stating he was arrested in February 2025 and subjected to nine months of physical and psychological torture in solitary confinement to extract a forced confession. According to Hengaw, Shakourzadeh was transferred from Evin Prison in Tehran to Ghezel Hesar Prison outside the capital and executed at dawn. His case follows a surge in executions tied to espionage, protests, and opposition ties, with at least five others executed on similar charges since late February. Iran has also carried out executions linked to the 2022–2023 protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, including a teenage wrestler and three men accused of killing police officers. The Iranian judiciary’s Mizan Online confirmed Shakourzadeh’s execution, framing it as part of broader efforts to combat alleged foreign interference. Rights groups, however, warn that capital punishment is increasingly used to suppress dissent and instill fear during periods of domestic unrest and international conflict. Shakourzadeh’s execution marks the fifth such case since Iran escalated tensions with the U.S. and Israel, while authorities have also targeted protesters and opposition figures in recent months.