Iran has executed a nuclear scientist who was convicted of giving top secret information about Tehran's controversial nuclear program to the United States.
The execution of Shahram Amiri was confirmed Sunday by Iran's official news agency, IRNA. "Through his connection with the United States, Amiri gave vital information about the country to the enemy," said judicial spokesman Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi.
Ejehi said a court had sentenced Amiri to death, a sentence that was upheld by Iran's Supreme Court.
Amiri left for Saudi Arabia in 2009 and relocated to the United States a year later. U.S. officials said they paid Amiri about $5 million to leave Iran and provide information about Iran's nuclear program.
A U.S. official said in 2010 that the U.S. received "useful information" from Amiri.