(JTA) — The trial of three alleged spies for Israel has started in Iran.

The suspects whose trial started last week are charged with conspiring against the Islamic Republic and having relations with Israel, the Iranian Mehr News Agency reported Saturday. They allegedly hired 60 Iranian citizens to assist them, the news agency reported, adding that most of the suspects have confessed their guilt.

In August, an Iranian national was arrested in the Islamic Republic for allegedly spying for Israel. Two months earlier, Iran said it had disbanded and arrested what it called a 12-member terrorist cell trained by Israel to sabotage upcoming presidential elections.

And in May, Tehran said two men convicted of spying for Israel and the United States were executed.