Oct. 3 – The Islamic Republic of Iran has approved a bill which enables much harsher punishments for espionage, following a 12-day war in June with Israel.
The legislation, which has drawn criticism from rights groups over its vague language and draconian penalties, follows Israel’s infiltration of Iran months before its attack on the country’s nuclear sites and the assassination of key military and nuclear officials.
The Islamic Republic escalated its already prolific use of the death penalty following the attack with an estimated nine hangings every day this past week, and has executed more than 1,000 people since the start of 2025, including several men it accused of spying for Israel.
Three Iranian men in Britain have been charged with activities related to spying for the Islamic Republic and of targeting journalists in the country.
The men were accused of spying in Britain on behalf of Iran’s intelligence services, and of focusing on reporters from opposition newspaper Iran International.
The men, who are currently held in Belmarsh prison and who pleaded not guilty to the charges during a court hearing at the Old Bailey in London, will be put on trial next year.
And detained British couple Lindsay and Craig Foreman, may receive a court verdict ‘within days’ according to their family.
The Foremans, who are detained in Iran and have been charged with espionage, attended a court hearing last Saturday and could be sentenced within the next seven to 10 days, according to Lindsay’s son Joe Bennett.
Iran’s regime has been accused in recent years by the West and rights bodies of arbitrarily detaining dual and foreign nationals as leverage for diplomatic negotiations.
