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Iran has executed two of its citizens, Omid Behzad and Pouria Safvat, on charges of espionage and cooperation with Israel, state media reported on Monday.
The executions come amid a notable increase in capital punishment for offences related to national security.
According to the judiciary news outlet Mizan, the two men, Behzad and Safvat, were accused of providing Israel with coordinates of military and security sites, alongside images and intelligence, during a brief conflict last summer and the most recent hostilities.
These executions unfold during a period of heightened tension for Iran. The nation recently suppressed widespread unrest in January, which led to the deaths of thousands of protesters, only to face renewed strikes from the US and Israel on 28 February.
US president Donald Trump stated that talks with Iran were scheduled for Monday amid the ongoing conflict.
Trump’s claim of imminent talks with Iran were denied by Tehran (AFP/Getty)
Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked for time to complete a deal that would lead to “the Immediate, Complete and Total” reopening of the strait and “an end to Iran’s nuclear threat” but that Tehran must “rapidly make a DEAL.”
However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, denied this claim, delivering the latest blow to Trump’s hopes of ending the war. Baghaei said that Tehran is not currently holding any talks with Washington, and is rather in discussions with Oman about securing a temporary safe route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Baghaei added that reaching an agreement with Oman is not sufficient to reopen the strait, as the situation will remain unchanged while US “aggression” continues.
Last year’s 12-day conflict commenced in mid-June with an Israeli air campaign, later joined by the United States, concluding with a US-brokered ceasefire.
The current conflict began in late February with US and Israeli strikes, following weeks of pressure on Iran regarding its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and its response to the January protests.
A fragile truce agreement in June had paused major conflict, but Mr Trump has repeatedly threatened to escalate the war, only to grant more time for talks that have yet to yield a comprehensive deal.