Iran executed three men convicted of involvement in anti-government protests that occurred in December and January. The executions followed a series of arrests linked to these protests, which began over rising living costs. According to the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan Online website, Mehdi Rassouli and Mohammad Reza Miri were hanged for their roles in widespread violence and the death of a security forces member. Ebrahim Dolatabadi was also executed for his role as a main instigator of the riots in Mashhad.
The Supreme Court confirmed these verdicts, leading to the executions. Last month, Bita Hemmati became the first woman sentenced to death over the protests, according to several rights groups. Iranian authorities claim the protests began peacefully but turned violent due to foreign interference. The government has acknowledged more than 3,000 deaths during the unrest.
According to Iran Human Rights Monitor, Iran carried out 656 executions in the first three months of this year, with at least 1,639 people executed in 2025, including 48 women. Many were sentenced following unfair trials and reliance on forced confessions as evidence.