Trending Now - Iran Executes 29-year-old Student for Alleged Espionage
WHO:
CBS News - Erfan Shakourzadeh, a 29-year-old post-graduate student from Iran University of Science and Technology.
CBS News - Iranian judiciary's Mizan Online website.
CBS News - Rights groups Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Hengaw.
WHAT:
CBS News - Shakourzadeh wrote a note before his execution stating: "I was arrested on fabricated espionage charges and, after eight and a half months of torture and solitary confinement, was forced into a false confession. Do not let another innocent life be taken in silence."
CBS News - Mizan reported that Shakourzadeh had been working on satellite technology and provided details to foreign intelligence agencies about his workplace, access level, duties, and other sensitive information.
CBS News - Authorities executed 13 men charged over January protests, one more over 2022 demonstrations, and 10 accused of links to banned opposition groups since the beginning of the war in late February.
CBS News - Erfan Shakourzadeh was hanged on charges of espionage.
CBS News - He was convicted of allegedly collaborating with the CIA and Israel's Mossad intelligence service.
CBS News - Shakourzadeh was the fifth person executed on espionage charges since the beginning of the war against the United States and Israel.
CBS News - At least 190 executions have been recorded in Iran so far in 2026.
CBS News - Iran executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, including 48 women.
WHERE:
CBS News - Shakourzadeh was executed at Ghezel Hesar prison outside Tehran.
CBS News - He was previously held at Evin prison in Tehran.
WHEN:
CBS News - Shakourzadeh was arrested in February 2025.
CBS News - He was executed on a Monday, with the specific date not provided.
WHY:
CBS News - The execution is part of a spate of executions amid the war against the United States and Israel.
CBS News - Rights groups accuse Iran of using capital punishment to instill fear during times of tension.
HOW:
CBS News - Shakourzadeh was subjected to nine months of severe physical and psychological torture in solitary confinement to extract forced confessions.
CBS News - Shakourzadeh was held in solitary confinement and subjected to torture to extract forced confessions.
CBS News - His "confessions" were set to be broadcast on state television.
(UPDATED May 11, 2026 19:29 UTC)
In a chilling note before his execution, Shakourzadeh claimed he was arrested on fabricated espionage charges and endured nine months of severe torture and solitary confinement, urging that no more innocent lives be lost in silence. Reports indicate he had been involved in satellite technology and allegedly shared sensitive information with foreign intelligence agencies. Since the onset of the war in late February, authorities have executed thirteen men linked to protests, one for earlier demonstrations, and ten accused of connections to banned opposition groups.
--
(UPDATED May 11, 2026 13:51 UTC)
Erfan Shakourzadeh, a 29-year-old post-graduate student from Iran University of Science and Technology, was executed at Ghezel Hesar prison outside Tehran on charges of espionage, having been convicted of allegedly collaborating with the CIA and Israel's Mossad intelligence service. He became the fifth person to be executed on such charges since the onset of the war against the United States and Israel, contributing to a grim tally of at least 190 executions recorded in Iran this year. Rights groups have condemned the Iranian government's use of capital punishment as a means to instill fear during periods of heightened tension, with reports indicating that Shakourzadeh was held in solitary confinement and tortured to extract forced confessions, which were intended to be broadcast on state television.