Iran Executes Three Men Convicted in January Protests

Iranian authorities have executed three men convicted for their roles in the January 2026 anti-government protests in Mashhad. The individuals, identified as Mehdi Rasouli, 25, Mohammad Reza Miri, 21, and Ebrahim Dolatabadi, were hanged at Vakilabad prison, according to state media reports. Rasouli and Miri were accused of acting as agents for Israel's Mossad and participating in the killing of a security officer during the protests. Dolatabadi was alleged to have led groups involved in clashes resulting in further deaths.

These executions are part of a broader pattern observed since the onset of the regional conflict on February 28, 2026. Human rights organizations report that at least 24 political prisoners have been executed since mid-March, including individuals arrested during the January protests.

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights, condemned the executions, stating, "The international community, especially the European Union, must respond decisively to this ongoing wave of executions. Unless the political cost of these executions is raised through clear and strong international reactions, there is a serious risk of daily executions continuing in the weeks and months ahead."

Amnesty International has also expressed concern, noting that many of those executed were subjected to torture and convicted in trials that relied on forced confessions and lasted only a few hours.

The Iranian judiciary has dismissed international criticism, with judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei stating that authorities would show "no leniency" in carrying out sentences and dismissing foreign critics as "arrogant."

These developments occur amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Rights groups continue to call for international intervention to halt the escalating number of executions in Iran.