Iranian authorities executed three men on Sunday over their alleged involvement in January 2026 anti-government protests, the judiciary announced. The men—Hassan Divband, Hamid Kazemi, and Reza Zanganeh—were hanged in Karaj, near Tehran, according to the judiciary’s Mizan news agency. The executions followed convictions upheld by the Supreme Court.
Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based organization, reported the hangings took place at dawn and said the executions brought the total number of men executed since the January protests to at least 39. The group warned that many more were at risk of facing similar fates.
The three men were convicted of carrying out operations on behalf of Israel and the United States during the protests, according to the judiciary. The charges were linked to alleged support for foreign entities during the unrest.
The executions have drawn international condemnation, with rights groups criticizing the trials as unfair. The Iranian government has not provided details on the legal proceedings or the evidence used against the men.
The January 2026 protests were widespread and led to significant unrest across Iran. The government has since imposed strict measures to suppress dissent, including mass arrests and executions. The current wave of executions follows a pattern of state-sanctioned violence against protesters and perceived dissidents.
The situation has escalated tensions between Iran and the international community, with calls for accountability and an end to human rights abuses. The Iranian government continues to justify its actions as necessary for national security and stability.
