Analysts point out that while Iran faces genuine espionage threats, it is also using this threat to suppress dissent, leading to mass arrests and executions. Former Israeli spy chief David Barnea revealed that before Israel launched a war against Iran in June 2025, it had sent dozens of agents into Iran for intelligence or sabotage missions, and deliberately leaked false information to cover for real agents. Since the 2025 war, Iranian authorities have significantly accelerated national security-related judicial penalties, including mass arrests, rapid prosecutions, long-term imprisonments, asset forfeitures, and executions, targeting alleged spies, protesters, journalists, lawyers, and ethnic minorities. A UN report stated that at least 19 people were executed in espionage-related cases between June and December 2025. Human rights organizations have documented cases involving forced confessions and denial of effective defense, noting that Iranian authorities are increasingly blurring the lines between espionage and dissent.