Iran on Saturday, 2 May executed two men convicted of espionage for Israel's intelligence agency Mossad, according to Mizan, the official news agency of the Iranian judiciary. The executions come as a fragile ceasefire between Iran, Israel, and the United States holds following weeks of open conflict.

Who Was Executed

The two men, identified as Yaqoub Karimpour and Naser Bekrzadeh, were hanged after their death sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court of Iran, Mizan reported. Both were accused of passing sensitive intelligence to Mossad in exchange for money.

According to Mizan, Karimpour allegedly maintained what the judiciary described as "effective" cooperation with Mossad during the 40-day war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. He is accused of transmitting sensitive information to a Mossad officer via the Telegram messaging platform, as reported by Xinhua news agency. Additional charges included involvement in sound explosions, filming military sites, carrying out harmful actions on a Mossad officer's orders, and providing false reports to security institutions in western Iran to deceive them.

Bekrzadeh, meanwhile, is accused of supplying Mossad with photographs, videos, and information on public and law enforcement locations, as well as details on senior government officials, provincial authorities, and religious figures — transmitted via WhatsApp and email, also reportedly in exchange for payment.

Context: The 40-Day War and Its Aftermath

The executions follow a period of unprecedented open warfare in the region. On 28 February, Israel and the United States reportedly launched joint strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior commanders, according to reports. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US bases and assets across the Middle East.

A ceasefire was reached on 8 April, followed by peace talks held in Islamabad on 11 and 12 April, which concluded without a formal agreement. The conflict's resolution remains incomplete, with diplomatic channels still open but unresolved.

Trump Declares War 'Terminated'

On the same day as the executions, US President Donald Trump told US lawmakers that the war against Iran has "terminated," citing the 60-day legal deadline under US law for military action launched without Congressional approval. The military campaign had begun without prior Congressional authorisation, raising significant legal and constitutional questions in Washington.

Notably, Trump's declaration comes even as peace talks in Islamabad failed to produce a binding agreement, leaving the long-term stability of the ceasefire uncertain.

What This Signals

The executions of alleged Mossad operatives signal that Tehran is moving to demonstrate internal security resolve even as external hostilities formally wind down. Iran has a documented history of executing individuals convicted of espionage for Israel, particularly during and after periods of heightened military tension. This is not the first such post-conflict crackdown; similar executions followed previous rounds of covert conflict between Iran and Israel.

With peace talks stalled and no formal agreement in place, analysts warn that the underlying conditions for renewed hostility remain. The next phase of diplomacy — and whether Islamabad talks resume — will be closely watched.