Iranian authorities have executed three men found guilty of conducting operations in support of Israel and the United States during anti-government protests earlier this year, according to announcements from the country’s judiciary. The executions of Hassan Divband, Hamid Kazemi, and Reza Zanganeh were reported to have taken place on Sunday after their death sentences were confirmed by the Supreme Court.
Details from the judiciary’s Mizan Online indicate that the defendants were convicted of engaging in operational activities on behalf of “the Israeli Zionist regime, the United States and hostile groups” during the protests. The report alleges that they threw Molotov cocktails and grenades, used bladed weapons and firearms, and set public facilities ablaze in Karaj, a city located west of Tehran.
Other individuals involved in the unrest received prison sentences ranging from five to ten years. The protest movement initially began in December in response to the rising costs of living but escalated into widespread demonstrations that peaked on January 8 and 9. Iranian authorities report over 3,000 deaths during this period, attributing the violence to what they describe as “terrorist acts” linked to foreign powers.
In contrast, international NGOs have suggested that the casualty figures are significantly higher and criticize Iranian security forces for opening fire on demonstrators. The frequency of executions in Iran has reportedly increased since the onset of recent conflicts in the Middle East, which gained momentum following US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February.
