Iran Executes Nuclear Scientist Accused of Spying for Israel

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – The Iranian judiciary announced Wednesday that it has executed Rouzbeh Vadi, a prominent nuclear scientist accused of spying for Israel and providing intelligence that led to the assassination of Iranian nuclear personnel during the 12-day war with Israel in June.

According to Iran’s Mizan Online, Vadi–who held a doctorate in nuclear engineering and worked at Iran’s Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute under the Atomic Energy Organization–was convicted of espionage and intelligence collaboration with Israel’s Mossad agency. He was hanged after the Supreme Court upheld his sentence.

Authorities claimed Vadi confessed to supplying the Mossad with classified information about key uranium enrichment facilities, including Fordo and Natanz, and about specific nuclear scientists–at least one of whom was later assassinated in an Israeli airstrike during the war.

“Rozbeh Vadi… who had been arrested and tried on charges of espionage and intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime, was executed this morning, August 6, 2025,” Mizan reported. “He played a direct role in the identification of one of Iran’s martyred nuclear scientists.”

The Iranian regime said Vadi had been recruited online by Mossad agents and met his handlers in Vienna five times. He reportedly received cryptocurrency payments and was promised an international passport in exchange for continued cooperation. Iranian security services began monitoring Vadi after one of his foreign trips and eventually uncovered his connection to Mossad.

Though the regime claims the execution followed “full criminal due process,” human rights groups have expressed concerns over the fairness of trials related to national security charges in Iran. It remains unclear when Vadi was arrested or formally sentenced.

War Fallout and Crackdown

The execution follows the unprecedented Israeli military campaign in June, which targeted Iranian military leaders, nuclear scientists, and enrichment facilities. According to Iranian state media, at least a dozen nuclear scientists were killed, including two who reportedly worked closely with Vadi–Abdolhamid Minouhchehr and Ahmad Zolfaghari.

The war, which ended after U.S.-brokered ceasefire negotiations, left hundreds dead and thousands injured across both countries. Israel said the campaign was necessary to cripple Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities and prevent what it called an imminent threat to the Jewish state.

Since the ceasefire, Iran has launched a sweeping internal crackdown. More than 700 individuals have reportedly been arrested for alleged espionage or collaboration with foreign intelligence services. Several have already been executed.

On the same day as Vadi’s execution, Iranian authorities also hanged a man convicted of plotting terrorist operations on behalf of the Islamic State group, signaling a broader effort to eliminate internal threats amid the regime’s heightened state of alert.

International Implications

Israel has not commented on Vadi’s execution, but senior Israeli officials have previously boasted of deep intelligence penetration into Iran’s security and nuclear establishments. One video released by Israeli intelligence in June appeared to show agents launching drones from inside Iranian territory.

While Iran seeks to present Vadi’s execution as a warning to would-be collaborators, analysts say it also reflects Tehran’s growing fears of infiltration at the highest levels of its security apparatus.

Iran remains one of the world’s top executioners, second only to China, according to Amnesty International. The current wave of state-sanctioned killings comes amid rising public dissatisfaction, ongoing protests, and escalating tensions with Israel and the West.

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