TEHRAN — A court in Iran sentenced to death an Iranian man accused of spying for Israel’s secret services.

A revolutionary court found that Ali Ashtari was a spy and an enemy of God, the state-run Fars news agency reported, citing the head of the Intelligence Ministry’s counter-espionage division, whom it didn’t identify by name. The verdict requires further endorsement and Ashtari can appeal, the news agency cited the official as saying.

Ashtari headed a company that sold telecommunications and security equipment, Fars said in a separate report, citing purported confessions. The 43-year-old held meetings in various countries with members of the Israeli secret services, Fars said, citing the purported confessions. The agents gave him $50,000 in total, and told him to sell equipment to customers in Iran that would allow them to spy on secret communications, Fars said.

The verdict came amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel over the Persian Gulf country’s nuclear program, which Israel, along with America and some major allies, say is cover for the development of an atomic weapon. Iran a week ago dismissed Israeli military exercises, reported to be intended as a warning that Iran’s nuclear installations could be destroyed by force, as an empty gesture to distract attention from domestic problems.

The June 2 maneuvers in the eastern Mediterranean involved about 100 aircraft and included mid-air refueling missions, according to two American defense officials familiar with the Israeli operation who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Iran, which says its atomic work is designed to produce electricity, has never recognized Israel and President Ahmadinejad has said that the Jewish state is “doomed” to disappear.