Iran executioners hanged Ali Ashtari, who was convicted last July for handing over to Israel classified information on military and research centers, including material relating to the country's Atomic Energy Organization. Israel has denied any knowledge of the allegations against Ashtari, whose execution last Monday was not announced until Saturday.
"We had specific intentions with announcing the execution of Ashtari ... we want to show that new intelligence battles with [the] enemy's intelligence services have begun and that intelligence battles have become more serious," according to the head of the Intelligence Ministry's Counterespionage Department, who was quoted by the official Iranian news agency.
It was the first time a death sentence has been handed down and carried out against an Iranian for espionage on behalf of Israel. Ten Iranians were convicted eight years ago of spying for Israel and were sentenced from four to 13 years in prison. All of them were released before the end of their prison terms.
The execution of Ashtari was carried out at the same time that speculation has risen concerning a possible Israeli attack on Iranian's nuclear facility, which is producing uranium that can be used to make a nuclear weapon of mass destruction.
The 43-year-old Ashtari said in a video released by the government, "I want everyone to learn a lesson from my fate and not play with their lives. See my destiny and set it as an example for yourselves. And do not make the same mistakes that I made."
Israeli intelligence officials allegedly gave him "special equipment" to stay in contact with his Israeli contacts.
IRNA also reported on Saturday that Iranian officials have arrested four "terrorists" who were found with "Zionist equipment and methods" in west Iran. They allegedly were planning to carry out assassinations.