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Iran arrests 97 people it accuses of being 'soldiers of Israel' in massive crackdown

5 articles
2 sources
0% diversity
Updated 19.3.2026
Key Topics & People
Esmaeil Khatib *Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) Dey unrest Mizan Online Alborz province

Coverage Framing

4
1
National Security(4)
Legal & Judicial(1)
Avg Factuality:78%
Avg Sensationalism:Moderate

Story Timeline

Mar 15 – Mar 21

2 articles|2 sources
iranisraelarrestshuman rightsexecutions
National Security(1)
Fox News - WorldMar 19

Iran arrests 97 people it accuses of being 'soldiers of Israel' in massive crackdown

Iran has arrested 97 individuals accused of being "soldiers of Israel" as part of a broader security crackdown. These arrests are the latest in a series of detentions, with hundreds reportedly held for alleged ties to Israel and the United States since the start of the recent conflict. Earlier, 41 people were arrested for allegedly sending videos to opposition media abroad. On March 10, Iran's intelligence ministry reported arresting a foreign national and 30 others, labeling them spies and agents of Israel and the U.S. These actions follow the assassination of Iranian intelligence minister Esmaeil Khatib in a targeted Israeli strike in Tehran. Human rights organizations report nearly 200 people have been arrested on charges related to the U.S.-Israeli conflict, including social media activity and espionage.

Mixed toneFactual4 sources
Negative
Legal & Judicial(1)
Al JazeeraMar 19

Iran executes three convicted of killing police in recent pre-war unrest

Iran executed three individuals convicted of killing two police officers during unrest in January. The judiciary stated the executed were also found guilty of actions supporting the United States and Israel. These executions occurred amidst an ongoing war and followed earlier anti-establishment protests where authorities claim 3,117 people died, although human rights organizations suggest a much higher toll. This week, Iran also executed a Swedish citizen accused of spying for Israel and announced further arrests targeting individuals allegedly collaborating with the US and Israel. These actions are part of a broader crackdown on dissent and perceived foreign influence within the country.

Mixed toneFactual3 sources
Negative

Key Claims

factual

Iran arrested 97 people accused of being "soldiers of Israel."

— Iran’s intelligence ministry

factual

41 people had been arrested for sending videos to opposition media channels based abroad.

— police commander of Alborz province

factual

Iran’s intelligence ministry reported it had arrested a foreign national, along with 30 other people it described as spies.

— Iran’s intelligence ministry

factual

Esmaeil Khatib's death was confirmed March 18 by Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz.

— Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz

factual

Iran has executed three people convicted of killing police officers and carrying out operations in favour of the United States and Israel.

— judiciary

Dec 21 – Dec 27

2 articles|1 sources
espionagespyingexecutioniranisraeli intelligence
National Security(2)
Fox News - WorldDec 22

Iran executes man convicted of spying for Israeli intelligence

Iran executed Aghil Keshavarz, a 27-year-old man, on Saturday after he was convicted of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency and army. Keshavarz was arrested in May while photographing a military headquarters in Urmia and was accused of conducting over 200 similar assignments in various Iranian cities. He was accused of taking photos of Iranian military and security sites. The Supreme Court upheld his death sentence. Keshavarz is one of eleven people executed for espionage in Iran since a conflict with Israel in June. Iran has a history of executing individuals accused of spying for Israel, often conducting closed-door trials with limited access to evidence for the accused.

Mixed toneFactual2 sources
Negative
Fox News - WorldDec 22

Iran executes man convicted of spying for Israeli intelligence

Iran executed Aghil Keshavarz, a 27-year-old man, on Saturday after he was convicted of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency and army. Keshavarz was arrested in May while photographing a military headquarters in Urmia and was accused of conducting over 200 similar assignments in various Iranian cities. He was accused of taking photos of Iranian military and security sites. The Supreme Court upheld his death sentence. Keshavarz is one of eleven people executed for espionage in Iran since a conflict with Israel in June. Iran has a history of executing individuals accused of spying for Israel, often conducting closed-door trials with limited access to evidence for the accused.

Mixed toneFactual2 sources
Negative

Key Claims

factual

Iran executed Aghil Keshavarz, 27, after he was convicted of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.

— state media

factual

Keshavarz was accused of taking photos of Iranian military sites.

— state media

factual

Keshavarz was arrested in May while taking pictures of a military headquarters in the city of Urmia.

— state media

factual

Iran has executed 11 people for espionage since a 12-day air conflict in June.

factual

Iran executed Aghil Keshavarz, 27, after he was convicted of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.

— state media

Dec 14 – Dec 20

1 articles|1 sources
espionageiranisraelexecutionmossad
National Security(1)
Al JazeeraDec 20

Iran executes man accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad: State media

Iran executed Aghil Keshavarz on Saturday after he was convicted of spying for Israel's Mossad. Keshavarz, a 27-year-old architecture student, was arrested in Urmia for photographing an army building. He is the tenth person executed for espionage since the June conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran. Keshavarz was accused of conducting over 200 missions for Israeli intelligence across multiple cities, including photographing sites and monitoring traffic. He allegedly communicated with Mossad and military officials through encrypted platforms, receiving cryptocurrency payments. In October, Iran toughened its laws against espionage for Israel and the US, making it automatically punishable by death.

Mixed toneFactual1 source
Negative

Key Claims

factual

Iran has executed a man convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency.

— judicial authorities

factual

Aghil Keshavarz was put to death on Saturday morning after the Supreme Court upheld his conviction.

— Mizan, the judiciary’s official news agency

statistic

At least 10 people have been executed for espionage since the June conflict.

— null

factual

Tehran toughened legislation against alleged spies for Israel and the US in October.

— null

factual

Keshavarz was accused of conducting more than 200 missions for Israeli intelligence services.

— Mizan report