Iranian authorities have detained a European national on accusations of "spying on sensitive areas of the country." The individual's nationality has not yet been confirmed. The alleged spy was arrested while cycling through a restricted security zone in Markazi Province. Iran's Revolutionary Guard has arrested 22 people in the city of Qom, accusing them of spying for Israel. Map: Iran. Since Israel's unprovoked surprise attack on Iran, 13 people have been executed as spies. In recent years, seven French citizens have been detained by Iranian authorities, with two still being held in custody. French President Emmanuel Macron said he had spoken with his Iranian counterpart by phone, demanding the immediate release of the two remaining detainees. Nota Bene: Emmanuel Macron promised to recognize the State of Palestine which he still has yet to do.
Iran's intelligence agencies are the experienced successors to the Shah's notorious SAVAK, which was trained by the CIA and the Mossad last century. Executing spies however, is poor tradecraft as the IRGC knows. Captured spies can lead to more spies who can also be traded for Iranian operatives captured by the Shin Bet. A corpse cannot be interrogated or traded, but the Iranian judicial system wants to make an example of these traitors. Below, Esmaeil Fekri was convicted of working for the Mossad and executed. I hope whatever the late Mr Fekri was doing for Israel was worth him paying the ultimate price.
