Latest news with #WestAzerbaijan
BreakingNews.ie
10 hours ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Iran executes three prisoners accused of spying for Israel
Iran executed three more prisoners for allegedly spying for Israel on Wednesday, the latest hangings connected to the country's war with Israel. The hangings happened in Urmia Prison in Iran's West Azerbaijan province, the country's most north-west province, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. Advertisement IRNA said Iran's judiciary claimed the men had been accused of bringing 'assassination equipment' into the country. Iran has carried out several hangings during its war with Israel, sparking fears from activists that it could conduct a wave of executions after the conflict ended. Iran identified the three men executed as Azad Shojaei, Edris Aali and Iraqi national Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul. People began to return to their normal lives as a ceasefire with Israel appeared to be holding (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) Amnesty International had previously raised concerns that the men could be executed. Advertisement Wednesday's executions bring the total number of hangings for espionage around the war up to six since June 16. Activists fear more people will be executed, particularly after Iran's theocracy issued a deadline for people to turn themselves in over spying. People in Iran, meanwhile, began trying to return to their normal lives as a shaky ceasefire with Israel, negotiated by US President Donald Trump, appeared to be holding. State media described heavy traffic around the Caspian Sea area and other rural areas outside of the capital, Tehran, as people began returning to the city. Advertisement Tehran experienced intense Israeli airstrikes throughout the war, including those that targeted Iran's top military leadership and other sites associated with its ruling theocracy.
The Independent
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Iran executes 3 more prisoners over allegedly spying for Israel, state media say
Iran executed three more prisoners Wednesday over allegedly spying for Israel, its state-run IRNA news agency reported, the latest hangings connected to its war with Israel. The hangings happened in Urmia Prison in Iran's West Azerbaijan province, which is the country's most northwest province. IRNA cited Iran's judiciary for the news, saying the men had been accused of bringing 'assassination equipment' into the country. Iran has carried out several hangings during its war with Israel, sparking fears from activists that it could conduct a wave of executions after the conflict ended. Wednesday's execution bring the total number of hangings for espionage around the war up to six. On Monday, Iran hanged Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh. Amnesty International previously had raised his case, saying he was held in Ghezal Hesar prison in Iran's Alborz province. On Sunday, Iran hanged another man, Majid Mossayebi, whose case only became public after his execution. On June 16, Iran hanged Esmail Fekri. Activists fear more people will be executed, particularly after Iran's theocracy issued a Sunday deadline for people to turn themselves in over spying.
Washington Post
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Iran executes 3 more prisoners over allegedly spying for Israel, state media say
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran executed three more prisoners Wednesday over allegedly spying for Israel, its state-run IRNA news agency reported, the latest hangings connected to its war with Israel. The hangings happened in Urmia Prison in Iran's West Azerbaijan province, which is the country's most northwest province. IRNA cited Iran's judiciary for the news, saying the men had been accused of bringing 'assassination equipment' into the country.
Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Iran executes 3 more prisoners over allegedly spying for Israel, state media say
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran executed three more prisoners Wednesday over allegedly spying for Israel, its state-run IRNA news agency reported, the latest hangings connected to its war with Israel. The hangings happened in Urmia Prison in Iran's West Azerbaijan province, which is the country's most northwest province. IRNA cited Iran's judiciary for the news, saying the men had been accused of bringing 'assassination equipment' into the country. Iran has carried out several hangings during its war with Israel, sparking fears from activists that it could conduct a wave of executions after the conflict ended. Wednesday's execution bring the total number of hangings for espionage around the war up to six. On Monday, Iran hanged Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh. Amnesty International previously had raised his case, saying he was held in Ghezal Hesar prison in Iran's Alborz province. On Sunday, Iran hanged another man, Majid Mossayebi, whose case only became public after his execution. On June 16, Iran hanged Esmail Fekri. Activists fear more people will be executed, particularly after Iran's theocracy issued a Sunday deadline for people to turn themselves in over spying.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Leaving my family in Iran was a pain I can't describe. But beneath the fear lies a determination to endure
I travelled to Iran from Australia to visit my ageing parents and reconnect with my roots. What was meant to be a short family visit took a dramatic turn with the outbreak of a sudden and unprovoked war imposed on Iran. I was in Kurdistan on a short sightseeing trip when the first Israeli attack occurred. The news struck like a shock wave, followed by a heavy, ominous silence – the kind that signals something far worse may be unfolding. With airspace closed and internet access severely restricted, I found myself all but stranded. Yesterday, I crossed into Turkey through the Sero-Esendere border in West Azerbaijan province in Iran – a less crowded route which I chose after a painful but deliberate decision. I am now preparing to return to Australia to be reunited with my wife and children. The past few days have been some of the most intense and heartbreaking of my life. Saying goodbye to my elderly parents and siblings, not knowing when – or if – I'll see them again, was a kind of pain I can't fully describe. I am profoundly concerned about the growing risk of a wider war that could engulf not just the region, but potentially the world. Above all, I am deeply worried for the future of Iran – one of the greatest countries in the world, rich in culture, history, and resilience. As an Australian-Iranian citizen I feel caught between two countries, two identities and two worldviews. It is painfully clear that escalation serves no one. Security cannot be achieved through airstrikes; peace cannot be imposed through fear. The path forward lies in dialogue, mutual respect, and the courage to look beyond past grievances. Experiencing this conflict first-hand has also revealed the quiet strength of a society under attack – something that rarely makes it into headlines. While international actors debate policy and power, ordinary Iranians navigate each day with remarkable resilience. Shopkeepers reopen their stores, families gather to support one another, and neighbours offer silent gestures of solidarity. Beneath the fear lies a powerful current of dignity – a determination to endure, not out of defiance, but out of necessity and shared humanity. One of the most provocative escalations came with the United States' bombardment of Iran's nuclear facilities, ordered by Donald Trump. Seen widely as a violation of international law, the strike may paradoxically serve as a turning point. In Australia, Peter Dutton's electoral loss was in part due to his proposal for peaceful nuclear energy, which alarmed many voters. Yet Iranians have never had that choice. The pursuit of nuclear technology – peaceful or otherwise – has brought more threat than opportunity. The real question now is not what can be gained, but what might be lost. At this stage, it no longer matters whether Iran joins the so-called nuclear club. What matters is saving more lives. Will we keep fuelling a war that has lost its core justification? The recent escalation also exposed deeper vulnerabilities. Israel, long reliant on its Iron Dome, found its population confined to bunkers as flaws in the system were revealed. Even the most advanced defence technology cannot promise safety in prolonged conflict. Within Iran, there are different views about missile defence spending, with some seeing it as a point of protection and pride. Yet, as many quietly acknowledge, they can do little to protect against US B-2 bombers. For those of us stranded by this conflict, our only hope is that the leaders of all nations come to understand what ordinary people have always known: peace is the only way forward. Mohammed Azimi is an Australian resident with family in Iran. This article reflects a personal account and is not intended as a political statement. He writes not as an analyst or activist, but as a citizen concerned for the safety of ordinary people on all sides
