Iran Executes 3 Men Linked to Anti-Government Protests
Iran executes three men accused of ties to Israel, U.S., and anti-government protests, sparking international concern.
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Iran executed three men on Sunday, accusing them of carrying out operations on behalf of Israel and the United States during this year’s nationwide anti-government protests, according to state media. The executions mark another instance of state-sanctioned killings of prisoners detained in connection with the protests in Karaj, which took place on January 8th and 9th, 2026.
Convictions and Allegations
Hassan Divband, Hamid Kazemi, and Reza Zanganeh were put to death after being convicted of armed attacks, arson, and the destruction of public property during the unrest. Iranian state outlets reported that the group possessed firearms, knives, Molotov cocktails, homemade explosive devices, and had assaulted two individuals believed to be security personnel. Prosecutors further alleged that the men acted in accordance with orders issued by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as part of an Israeli-American plan to destabilize the country.
Legal and Human Rights Concerns
The judiciary maintained that confessions, surveillance footage, and intelligence reports supported the convictions. However, human rights groups noted that the evidence was never independently verified. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that Divband and Kazemi had been held at Karaj Central Prison, where they were serving sentences under national security charges prior to their execution.
International Reactions and Context
The executions have drawn international attention and concern, with many human rights organizations criticizing the lack of transparency and due process in the legal proceedings. The accusations against the men, including ties to foreign entities, have raised questions about the extent of Iran’s involvement in the protests and the government’s response to domestic unrest.
Source: OANN
