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Iran Executes Three Protesters Weeks After Vowing No Hangings
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Iranian authorities executed three men on March 19 who had been convicted of killing two police officers during protests earlier this year, according to Reuters on March 19, citing Iranian state media.
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The executions were confirmed by Iran’s judiciary, which stated that the sentences had been upheld by the country’s Supreme Court. The men were found guilty of murder and “Moharebeh”—a charge translated as “waging war against God”—as well as carrying out actions authorities claimed were in the interest of Israel and the United States.
According to Reuters, the executions were carried out in the city of Qom. Iranian officials said the individuals had participated in attacks involving knives and other weapons during unrest on January 8, which resulted in the deaths of two police officers.
State-linked outlet Tasnim also reported that the convicted men had admitted to the killings, though no further details were provided regarding the allegations of foreign involvement.
Earlier statements from Iranian officials had indicated that executions of protest participants were not planned. In mid-January, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: “No hangings will take place today or tomorrow. I can tell you, I am confident there is no plan to hang [protesters] at all. <…> Hanging is out of the question.”
The protests began in late December 2025 amid economic deterioration and quickly expanded into broader anti-government demonstrations. According to various estimates cited by international observers, the crackdown on protests has resulted in thousands of deaths, with figures ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands.
Iranian authorities have disputed higher estimates and have accused foreign actors, including Israel and the United States, of involvement in the unrest.
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