Iran executed Mohsen Langarneshin for espionage linked to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. WANA
Iran executed Mohsen Langarneshin for espionage linked to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. WANA

Man executed in Iran for espionage ties to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency



An Iranian man convicted of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency was executed on Wednesday, Iran's state media reported, days after a deadly explosion in a major commercial port.

Mohsen Langarneshin was "hired" by the Israeli spy service in October 2020, Iran's judiciary media outlet Mizan said. He was accused of providing operational and technical support in the assassination of Sayyad Khodaei, a senior member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who was shot dead outside his Tehran home in May 2022.

He had been convicted by an Iranian court on charges of espionage and intelligence co-operation with Israel, Mizan aded. He was hanged on Wednesday morning after the verdict was confirmed by Iran's Supreme Court.

Entangled in a decades-long shadow war with Israel, Iran has put to death many people it accuses of having links with Mossad and enabling its operations, notably assassinations or acts of sabotage meant to undermine Iran's nuclear programme.

Wednesday's execution comes ahead of a fourth round of talks with the US on the nuclear programme set to take place this weekend. Earlier this week Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israel of seeking to derail the talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the idea of limiting Tehran's uranium enrichment through a deal with the US. He has been pushing for the full dismantlement of its nuclear infrastructure.

Mr Langarneshin, over the course of two years, is alleged to have provided logistical, technical and operational support for an attack in Isfahan on an industrial centre affiliated with Iran's Ministry of Defence, Mizan stated.

It said he bought communications equipment, vehicles and transferred money from Mossad officers to “operational elements” inside Iran, while renting safe houses in several provinces.

“He was responsible for important actions, including supporting terrorist operations and being present at the scene of the assassination of Sayyad Khodaei,” Mizan said.

He also met senior Mossad officers in Georgia and Nepal to receive assignments, Mizan added.

It said he had "confessed" to his actions.

Rights groups have accused Iran of carrying out “sham trials” and issuing sentences without credible evidence.

The execution comes days after an explosion near Bandar Abbas in a major port caused massive fires that were finally declared extinguished late on Monday. It killed 70 people and injured hundreds on Saturday.

Iran said "negligence" was to blame for a deadly explosion at the country's biggest commercial port. But Iranian experts said sabotage cannot be ruled out.

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Strait of Hormuz

Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.

The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.

Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.

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Four stars

Key facilities
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The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
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The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
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Price, base: Dh1,731,672

Engine: 6.5-litre V12

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm

Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm

Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km

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Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer

Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon 

Sector:  Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing

Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed

Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A 

Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds 

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2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.

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UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Updated: April 30, 2025, 9:27 AM