TEHRAN, Iran (BN24) — Iranian authorities are investigating 20 individuals arrested for allegedly collaborating with Israel, the country’s judiciary confirmed Saturday, following weeks of escalating tensions and direct conflict between the two regional adversaries.
Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said the cases were opened under the supervision of senior investigators and are actively progressing. “These cases were immediately filed under the supervision of the esteemed investigators and are being investigated,” Jahangir told reporters in Tehran. He noted that additional details would be released as the process continues.
The arrests stem from an intelligence operation disclosed in late July, when Iran’s intelligence ministry claimed to have detained 20 individuals described as spies, Mossad operatives, and support agents allegedly connected to Israeli intelligence. The detentions occurred in Tehran and across multiple provinces.
The crackdown follows Israel’s mid-June airstrikes on Iranian territory — an unprecedented military campaign that targeted nuclear sites, military installations, and residential areas. The attacks reportedly killed senior Iranian commanders, nuclear scientists, and hundreds of civilians. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes, marking a rare period of open warfare between the two countries.
Iranian officials have vowed swift and harsh judicial responses to those accused of espionage. “The judicial system will not show any mercy in dealing with spies and Zionist agents and will teach a lesson to all spies… with firm rulings,” Jahangir said.
Earlier this week, Iran executed Roozbeh Vadi, a former employee of the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, for allegedly passing sensitive information about nuclear facilities and scientists to Israel. State-linked Fars News Agency reported that Vadi had collaborated with two scientists — Ahmad Zolfaghar and Abdolhamid Minouchehr — who were later killed during the Israeli strikes.
State media published a screenshot of a research paper co-authored by Vadi and the two slain scientists, reinforcing Tehran’s allegations of a deep-rooted Israeli intelligence network operating inside the country.
Iran has not indicated when the remaining suspects might be formally charged or brought to trial, though officials have said the process will be expedited in light of national security concerns.
