An Iranian telecoms salesman was found guilty of spying for Israel and sentenced to death, the local media reported.

The alleged spy, 45-year-old Ali Ashtari, was found guilty and sentenced by the Revolutionary Court according to the IRNA news agency. The man was allegedly involved in a plot run by the Israeli secret services to intercept the communications of Iranian military officials working in the nation’s controversial nuclear program.

However, the verdict has yet to receive the final approval from the Iran's Supreme Court. The believed spy also has time to appeal the verdict with a higher court.

"This is an initial verdict and should receive final approval. The defendant can appeal," an official said according to the Fars news agency.

According to another unidentified official, Ashtari transferred sensitive information from Iran's research, military and defense centers, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran to the Israeli secret service officers. Mossad lured him into a trap and “took advantage of his situation; they asked him to cooperate and he cooperated.”

The move comes amid growing tension between Iran and Israel, its archrival in the Middle East. Israel said it is prepared to use military force against Iran to halt its nuclear program which the Western powers fear could be used to manufacture a nuclear bomb.

However, Teheran insisted that the sole purpose of its uranium enrichment program is to produce electricity.

According to his confession published by Fars, Ashtari sold telecoms equipment to Mossad officers so they could access secret information from Iranian officials. Mossad gave him 50,000 dollars for Internet cables and satellite phones.