Iran has executed Ali Ardestani, accused of spying for Israel, amid a surge in espionage-related executions following recent conflict. The judiciary reported that Ardestani's death sentence was approved by the Supreme Court after closed-door proceedings. Iran has intensified its crackdown on alleged spies, enacting harsher laws that specifically target those accused of working for Israel and the United States, making such offenses punishable by death and asset confiscation. This latest execution occurs against the backdrop of widespread protests in Iran, sparked by economic hardship and escalating into broader opposition to the government. Human rights groups continue to campaign against the increasing number of executions, as authorities report dozens killed and over a thousand detained during the ongoing unrest.