Iran Executes Multiple Individuals Amid Crackdown on Dissent
Iranian authorities have carried out a series of executions in recent days, targeting individuals convicted of roles in anti-government protests and espionage. The executions were announced by the judiciary and reported by state-affiliated media, drawing condemnation from international rights groups.
Executions Related to January Unrest
On Thursday, Iranian authorities executed three men convicted of killing police officers during protests in January, according to the judiciary's Mizan news agency. The individuals were identified as Saleh Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi. Mizan reported they were hanged in Qom after being convicted of "waging war against God" (moharebeh) under Islamic law.
Mizan stated the three were found guilty of involvement in the deaths of two law enforcement personnel and conducting "operational actions" on behalf of Israel and the United States. Two sources confirmed Mohammadi was a member of Iran's national wrestling team.
Sources 1 and 3 provide conflicting accounts of the death toll during the protests. Source 1 reports that Iranian authorities cite 3,117 deaths during anti-establishment protests that began in late December. Source 3 states that the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has documented over 7,000 killings, while Tehran has acknowledged over 3,000 deaths. Source 1 additionally notes that a UN special rapporteur suggested the death toll might exceed 20,000.
Execution on Espionage Charges
Separately, Iranian authorities executed Erfan Shakourzadeh, a 29-year-old postgraduate student at Tehran's Iran University of Science and Technology, on Monday. The judiciary's Mizan Online website stated Shakourzadeh was convicted of collaborating with the CIA and Israel's Mossad intelligence service. According to Mizan, he provided foreign agencies with details about his workplace, access level, duties, and other sensitive information related to satellite technology.
Shakourzadeh was arrested in February 2025. Norway-based rights groups Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Hengaw reported that Shakourzadeh denied the charges.
IHR stated he was held in solitary confinement and subjected to torture to extract false confessions. Hengaw published a note purportedly from Shakourzadeh, in which he claimed his arrest was based on fabricated espionage charges.
IHR recorded Shakourzadeh as the fifth person executed on espionage charges since late February. The organization also reported that authorities have executed 13 men charged over January protests, one over 2022 demonstrations, and ten accused of links to banned opposition groups.
Additional Executions and Crackdowns
Earlier in the week, Iranian authorities executed Kouroush Keyvani, a dual Iranian-Swedish national, on charges of spying for Israel. Sweden's foreign minister confirmed the execution. This was the first publicly announced execution of its kind since the onset of military strikes between Israel, the U.S., and Iran on February 28, according to Source 3.
On Wednesday, Iranian authorities reported hundreds of additional arrests nationwide. The Ministry of Intelligence stated that 111 "pro-monarchy cells" across 26 of Iran's 31 provinces were prevented from launching actions against the country's theocratic establishment.
Official Statements and Rights Groups' Responses
Iranian judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei stated there will be "no leniency" for those convicted of violent acts during the protests, as reported by Source 3.
White House spokesperson Olivia Wales issued a statement regarding the executions, linking them to President Trump's stance on Iran's nuclear program and "Operation Epic Fury," according to Source 3.
Amnesty International reported that Mohammadi was denied adequate defense and forced to make confessions in fast-tracked proceedings.
Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights stated the three were sentenced to death following an unfair trial based on torture-obtained confessions. Iranian legal affairs monitor Dadban added that the individuals were "deprived of effective access to independent counsel and the right to defense."
IHR reported that at least 1,639 people were executed in 2025, including 48 women, and has recorded at least 190 executions so far in 2026. Iran Human Rights expressed concern about a "risk of mass executions of protesters and political prisoners in the shadow of war."
Rights groups have accused Iran of using capital punishment to spread fear during periods of international and domestic tension. Iran is considered the world's most prolific executioner after China, with at least 1,500 hangings last year, according to IHR.