The Islamic Republic of Iran carried out the death sentences of four people on Monday that it says were linked to an Israeli intelligence operation, after the Supreme Court rejected their appeal, the Iranian state media has reported.

The defendants were accused of illegally entering Iranian territory from Iraq’s Kurdistan region to carry out a bombing operation in an Isfahan-based factory producing equipment for Iran’s Ministry of Defence. Their operation was allegedly meant to take place in the summer of 2022 on behalf of Israel’s Mossad and was averted by Iranian intelligence.

Iran and Israel are longtime foes and are currently locked in a row over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Israel accuses Iran of backing militant attacks against it, while Iran says Israel has carried out a number of killings of Iranian officials and scientists. Israel does not confirm nor deny such actions.