Iran executes top nuclear scientist Rouzbeh Vadi accused of spying for Mossad — shocking details emerge

Time of India

3 days ago

Iran executed nuclear scientist Rouzbeh Vadi for allegedly spying for Israel's Mossad, sparking international outrage. Vadi was accused of leaking sensitive nuclear data during meetings in Vienna. This execution highlights Iran's intensified crackdown on suspected spies following increased tensions with Israel, raising concerns among human rights organizations about potential secret trials and further executions.
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Why was Rouzbeh Vadi arrested and killed?
How did Mossad supposedly hire and train him?
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Why is Iran so strict about spying?
FAQs
Iran has executed one of its top nuclear scientists, saying he was spying for Israel's Mossad. This has caused outrage all over the world. A well-known nuclear scientist was hanged after being found guilty of leaking sensitive nuclear data. This made people very worried about Iran's growing crackdown on people they think are spies.Iran killed Rouzbeh Vadi , a well-known nuclear scientist, because they thought he was spying for Israel's Mossad. Authorities said that Vadi gave out sensitive information about Iran's nuclear program during secret meetings in Vienna. The case shows how Iran has cracked down a lot since the war, and international human rights groups are warning that there will be more executions and secret trials.After its fight with Israel in June, Tehran's internal security measures have gotten a lot stricter. This move is sending shockwaves through the intelligence and human rights communities around the world, as per a report by Iran International.On August 5, 2025, Vadi, a reactor engineer who worked for Iran's Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, was hanged. He was said to have worked with two nuclear scientists who were killed in the recent conflict between Israel and Iran to write technical papers. That connection, along with what Iran says was proof of secret cooperation with Mossad, sealed his fate.Iranian officials say that Vadi gave important information about Iran's nuclear activities to Israeli intelligence. The court says he gave Mossad handlers information about fellow scientist Ahmad Zolfaghari, who was killed during the June war. Iranian intelligence kept an eye on him and arrested him in Tehran, allegedly after he met with Mossad officers in Vienna several times.The court found him guilty of "hostile acts against peace and security" under Article 6 of Iran's law and sentenced him to death, saying he had committed serious crimes against national and international stability. The Supreme Court turned down his appeal.Iran's courts gave a detailed description of how they hired Vadi: an agent using the name "Alex" reportedly contacted him online and checked him out. Later, he met a handler named "Kevin," and Mossad is said to have marked him as a high-value source because of his job and access.Authorities say that Mossad sent Vadi to Vienna with strict security, where he took a polygraph test and had psychological evaluations.Vadi learned about safe ways to talk to people in five different meetings and was told to report on nuclear issues within the organization on a regular basis. Iranian officials say that the payments were sent every month through crypto wallets, as per a report by Iran International.Officials say that even though Vadi was hesitant at first to send large amounts of data, he eventually did give up sensitive information, including information about scientists who had been killed.Vadi's execution is part of a larger crackdown after the war. Since the June war between Iran and Israel, more than 2,000 people have been arrested. Many of them are accused of helping enemy states or spying on them online and in person. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of Iran's judiciary, has promised "decisive" punishment for traitors, and human rights groups are sounding the alarm.Amnesty International and Iran Human Rights say that Iran will carry out more than 60% of the world's executions in 2024. There were 612 executions reported in the first half of 2025. At least six people have been charged with spying for Israel in the recent rise.One of them was Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi-Shayesteh, who was accused of being the leader of a cyber group linked to Mossad. The rising number of deaths has raised concerns around the world. Critics warn of secret trials, vague charges, and a scary environment for academics and political dissidents, as per a report by Iran International.The death of Rouzbeh Vadi is the most recent and most well-known example of how Iran is tightening its grip on national security.He was an Iranian nuclear scientist accused of passing classified nuclear data to Israel's Mossad.Iranian authorities claimed he spied for Mossad and transferred sensitive information, resulting in a death sentence on espionage charges.