The conflict between Israel and Iran saw targeted killings of Iranian nuclear scientists and military personnel. Reports suggest that Israeli spies facilitated these attacks, highlighting Mossad’s influence within Iran’s security infrastructure. Following the hostilities, Iran has executed individuals accused of collaborating with Israel. Rouzbeh Vadi was among those executed, facing charges of spying for Mossad. Iranian judicial authorities have revealed the methods Israel uses to recruit Iranians for espionage.
A 2011 research paper by Iranian nuclear scientists Abdulhamid Minouchehr, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari Daryani, and Rouzbeh Vadi, presented at the 18th Iranian Nuclear Energy Conference, has become relevant. All three individuals have met tragic ends – two killed by Israel, and one executed by Iran.
On the morning of June 13, Israel targeted Minouchehr and Zolfaghari. Subsequently, Rouzbeh Vadi was executed on August 5th on espionage charges. Iranian TV broadcast a video of Vadi confessing to his role, including providing information about a nuclear facility that Israel targeted. He also shared details about an Iranian nuclear scientist.
Iranian judicial sources claim that Rouzbeh Vadi was recruited through a virtual social network. He went to Vienna under the pretense of attending a training course and met with Mossad officials multiple times. The judicial statement, however, doesn’t clarify the length of Vadi’s detention. According to the Iranian Human Rights Organization, Vadi was arrested around February 2024 and remained incarcerated until his execution.