Middle East

Iran, Trump ready to intervene 'with a big army'. Alleged Israeli spy hanged

Hamidreza Sabet Esmaeilipour, arrested a year ago, was executed for the crime of spying for Mossad. Hrana Agency raises alarm over detainees

28 January 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Total dead
Arrests in Turkey

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Iran has executed a man after finding him guilty ofespionage on behalf of Israel. This was reported by the Iranian news agency Mizan. "Hamidreza Sabet Esmaeilipour, who was arrested on 29 April 2025, was hanged for the crime of espionage and intelligence cooperation for the benefit of a hostile intelligence service (Mossad, ndr) through the transfer of classified documents and information, after the verdict was upheld by the Supreme Court and through legal procedures," Mizan says.

"A regime that can only maintain itself in power with brute force and terror against its own population has its days numbered," warned German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, pointing out that "it could be weeks, but this regime has no legitimacy to rule the country and if there have been tens of thousands of victims in the latest demonstrations against the regime, it is clear that the mullahs' regime can only maintain itself in power with pure terror.

Very similar words from the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to whom 'Iran is weaker than ever'. In a Senate hearing, Rubio expressed confidence that the protests may have died down, but will flare up again in the future. Asked about the State Department's estimate of how many people have died during the protests in Iran, the Secretary of State replied that it is definitely in the thousands.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump returned to remark on the presence near Iran of a "large army, larger than the one sent to Venezuela", ready, "as with Venezuela, to carry out its mission, swiftly and violently, if necessary". In a post on Truth, Trump then reiterated, "We hope Iran will quickly sit down at the negotiating table and negotiate a fair and equitable agreement - NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS - that is beneficial to all parties." "Time is running out," the US president warned, urging Tehran to make a deal: "As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They did not, and there was 'Operation Midnight Hammer', a massive destruction of Iran. The next attack will be worse! Don't let it happen again'.

The Iranian mission to the UN immediately responded to the US president via a post on its X account. "The last time the US went to war in Afghanistan and Iraq, it squandered over $7 trillion and lost over 7,000 American lives. Iran is ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and common interests, but if pushed into a corner, it will defend itself and respond as never before!"

Meanwhile, China's ambassador to the UN, Fu Cong, also warned the Security Council against any "military adventurism" in Iran. "China hopes that the United States and other relevant parties will take further measures to promote peace and stability in the Middle East and avoid exacerbating tensions and throwing gasoline on the fire," he said. Cong described Iran as an 'independent and sovereign' state whose 'affairs should be decided independently by the Iranian people'.

The total number of dead

There are at least6,221 confirmed dead during the wave ofprotests in Iran. This is the latest figure published by the Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana). Among them, reads the website of the US-based organisation, 5,858 protesters, 100 minors, 214 members of the security forces and 49 people who were not demonstrators. The organisation confirms that work continues to verify the circumstances of another 17,091 reported deaths. According to Hrana, at least42,324 people were arrested.

Arrests in Turkey

Turkish security and intelligence forces dismantled a suspectedIranian-linked espionage network operating within Turkey, arresting six people in coordinated raids in five provinces. According to the newspaper Sabah, the cell was collecting sensitive military and security information with the intention of preparing potential attack plans. Among the locations targeted was the NATO base in Incirlik, southern Turkey.

"There has been no contact between me and (US special envoy, Steve ed) Witkoff, nor have we asked for talks. However, some third countries are making efforts and consultations as mediators, and we are in contact with them," Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, told the press today on the sidelines of a government meeting.

Araghchi then remarked that 'diplomacy through military threats cannot bring results' and that if the US 'wants negotiations to take place, it must put aside threats, excessive demands and illogical questions', because 'talks require a level playing field and mutual respect'.