In the midst of ongoing geopolitical strife, Iran continues to navigate internal challenges highlighted by recent judicial actions. As the government confronts protests that erupted last year, the judiciary has intensified its campaign against those deemed as threats to national unity, linking them to foreign adversaries. These executions and arrests underscore a complex landscape where civil unrest is met with stringent legal measures, reflecting broader tensions within Iranian society and its stance against foreign influence.
Iran’s judiciary has made headlines this week with multiple executions tied to unrest stemming from recent months, part of a determined effort to crack down on individuals accused of attempting to “create divisions” amid a turbulent time of conflict with the United States. On Wednesday, the judiciary’s official news outlet announced the execution of Mehdi Khanaki, labeled as an “active element of a terrorist group” who was arrested during nationwide protests in January. State television reported security forces raiding a residence in Karaj, near Tehran, where they claimed to have discovered a cache of handguns, ammunition, and explosives. Khanaki was tried in a “revolutionary court” for acting in favor of what the authorities described as the Zionist regime, the United States, and hostile elements.
This past Sunday, two additional executions took place in connection with a 16-defendant case linked to violent protests in Isfahan on January 8, where officials claimed several police officers were killed. However, international activists disputed the government’s narrative, alleging that due process was absent and that torture may have been employed during trials. The demonstrations that gave rise to these events began on December 28 in central Tehran, initially sparked by economic grievances but rapidly evolving into widespread expressions of discontent with the government itself.
The Iranian government has characterized the unrest—marked by thousands of casualties— as a “coup” allegedly orchestrated by the U.S. and Israel. In contrast, reports from Amnesty International and other human rights organizations describing “mass unlawful killings” during a complete internet and communication shutdown have been categorically rejected by Iranian authorities.
In the chaotic aftermath of the protests and ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict that began on February 28, tens of thousands have been arrested. The Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations recently decried intensified prison sentences and mounting pressure on educators who engage in advocacy. Reports indicate that new legislation introduced following the intense military confrontation in June 2025 aims to impose harsher penalties for perceived espionage and actions harmful to national security.
Additionally, countless Iranians—including business figures and personalities—have faced asset confiscation by the state. State-sponsored television has routinely aired “confessions” from individuals arrested or executed under these serious charges, with the latest broadcast featuring a young man who admitted to spreading anti-government sentiment via social media during the ongoing conflict.
On July 13, Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence unveiled a list of “hostile media” that implicated various media outlets and online personalities, threatening prison sentences for those who provide information to these entities. This crackdown aligns with the rhetoric of resilience and solidarity among Iranians, as officials emphasize the need for national unity during wartime.
Recently appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has called for a “sacred unity” among the populace. In a meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior judiciary officials, Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei echoed this sentiment, asserting that protective measures must be taken against those considered “devils” aiming to sow discord among the Iranian people. With ongoing speculation regarding divisions within the Iranian leadership—fueled by U.S. claims about contrasting factions advocating either a continued fight or a push for negotiations—officials in Tehran have firmly rejected such narratives, insisting on their cohesive stance against external threats.
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