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Iran Executes Graduate Student Convicted of Spying for CIA and Mossad
Erfan Shakourzadeh was hanged at dawn Monday in Ghezel Hesar prison outside Tehran after conviction on charges of collaborating with U.S. and Israeli intelligence. The post-graduate student rejected the accusations in a final message, stating they were fabricated under torture.
May 11, 9:00 AM·1m read4 sources
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Iranian authorities executed Erfan Shakourzadeh, 29, by hanging at dawn Monday in Ghezel Hesar prison outside Tehran. The post-graduate student at Iran University of Science and Technology had been convicted of collaborating with the CIA and Israel's Mossad intelligence service, according to the Iranian judiciary. He was transferred from Evin prison to Ghezel Hesar earlier in May 2026.
The judiciary accused Shakourzadeh of stealing classified satellite information from the scientific organization where he worked. Mizan Online reported that he had been working on satellite technology and provided details about his workplace, access level, duties and other sensitive information to foreign intelligence agencies.
His confessions were scheduled to be broadcast on state television Monday evening.
Shakourzadeh was arrested in February 2025. According to the Iranian judiciary, he confessed to the espionage activities. No publicly released evidence has documented the specific content of the classified satellite information allegedly transmitted.
Shakourzadeh graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tabriz. He was a top-ranked master's student in aerospace engineering at Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran. He is the fifth person Iran has executed on espionage charges since the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel began in late February 2026.
