Iranian Crown Prince Condemns Executions Carried Out on Allegations of Israeli Espionage

Aghil Keshavarz, a student at Shahrood University, was put to death after Iran’s judiciary found him guilty of espionage-related charges. His execution came months after his arrest in June, in the aftermath of the 12-day war between Israel and Iran.

By Shula Rosen

Iran’s Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi on Saturday condemned the Islamic Republic following the execution of an Iranian university student convicted of spying for Israel, calling the killing further proof of what he described as a regime acting out of fear and repression.

Aghil Keshavarz, a student at Shahrood University, was put to death after Iran’s judiciary found him guilty of espionage-related charges. His execution came months after his arrest in June, in the aftermath of the 12-day war between Israel and Iran.

In a post on X, Pahlavi accused Iran’s leadership of using false allegations to justify the killing of young Iranians. “The Islamic Republic’s murder of Aghil Keshavarz is clear evidence of its weakness. Khamenei and his regime are taking out revenge for their defeat in the 12-day war by murdering Iran’s innocent youth based on lies,” he wrote.

Pahlavi said the leadership’s actions reflected anxiety about internal opposition rather than strength. “This regime’s greatest fear is from the people of Iran and their great national uprising. The Iranian nation’s will, however, is stronger than the regime’s suppression and fear-mongering,” he added.

He also addressed Keshavarz’s family directly, offering condolences and promising accountability. “I express my sincere condolences to the family of Aghil Keshavarz. I assure them, and all those seeking justice, that the people of Iran will end Khamenei’s reign of terror and his criminal regime and that the perpetrators of these crimes will face justice.”

Iranian authorities accused Keshavarz of photographing military sites, allegations that formed the basis of the case against him. State-linked media reported that he confessed after his arrest, though rights groups disputed the legitimacy of the proceedings.

Human rights organizations said the trial failed to meet basic legal standards, alleging that Keshavarz was tortured during interrogations by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence officers and that pressure was placed on his family to force a confession.

The execution comes amid a sharp rise in capital punishment in Iran. More than 1,000 people have been executed nationwide in 2025, according to rights monitors. Following the June conflict with Israel, Iranian authorities announced the arrest of tens of thousands of people accused of cooperating with Israel.

Regional analysts have told The Jerusalem Post that individuals believed to be genuine Israeli intelligence assets are typically handled discreetly, while public executions are often used as a deterrent and a signal to the broader population.