Destruction of a Mossad-Linked Cyber Network in Iran
WANA (Jun 23) – Mohammad Amin Mahdavi-Shayesteh, a virtual collaborator of the Persian-language outlet Iran International and a key liaison for the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad in cyberspace, was executed after being arrested and tried in Iran. He had been managing a cyber network inside the country under the direction of Mossad.
According to judicial authorities, Mahdavi-Shayesteh, son of Ahmad, was convicted of intelligence collaboration with the Israeli regime. After undergoing the full criminal procedure and confirmation of the verdict by the Supreme Court, he was executed this morning.
Official documents in the case show that Mahdavi-Shayesteh headed a Mossad-linked cyber team and knowingly cooperated with the Israeli intelligence-terrorist service.
This anti-Iranian cyber network operated across social media platforms and foreign messaging apps, under the supervision of Mossad officers.
As the leader of the team, Mahdavi-Shayesteh was responsible for managing the network, relaying instructions from Mossad officers, and coordinating both virtual and on-the-ground operations.
After his initial contact with his handler, he traveled to a neighboring country for training and coordination under the cover of working for a migration consulting company.
While in that country, he held multiple meetings with two Mossad officers. Due to his experience in digital media and social networks, he was recruited as a key operative in Mossad’s psychological and media warfare efforts targeting Iran.
During one of these meetings, his handler outlined his mission in detail.
Mohammad Amin Mahdavi-Shayesteh / WANA News Agency
Following Mossad’s orders, Mahdavi-Shayesteh took charge of a cyber network tasked with content creation and brand-building campaigns targeting Iranian military personnel. This included launching websites and managing online operations in accordance with Mossad directives.
He also trained other members of the network, passing on techniques he had learned from his handlers—codenamed “Manijeh” and “Reza”—on secure communication, covert behavior, online anonymity, and digital safety.
A significant aspect of this case is the cyber network’s close affiliation with Iran International, the Persian-language media outlet backed by the Israeli regime.
Fabricated content produced by the network was routinely cited in Iran International broadcasts, which played an active role in promoting and amplifying the network’s affiliated channels.
Under Mahdavi-Shayesteh’s leadership, the Mossad-backed network eventually shifted to conducting field operations.
Beyond digital activities, he gained the trust of Mossad officers to organize and execute on-the-ground missions.
These included filming sensitive locations, delivering threatening packages to designated targets, harassing individuals, and sending footage of these operations to his handlers through secure communication channels.
Mahdavi-Shayesteh played a central and critical role in this entire network.
