Iran Executes Political Prisoners Amid Surge in State Crackdowns

The judiciary of Iran executed Mohammad Amini Dehaghani by hanging on July 15, 2026, after the Supreme Court of Iran confirmed his death sentence. Dehaghani was convicted of war against God and corruption on earth for allegedly attacking a governor's office and police station during anti-government protests on January 9, 2026. This execution is part of a broader spike in state violence, with at least 47 political prisoners executed so far this year.

Recent state actions include the July 13 executions of Abdolreza Heydari and Mehdi Latifi at Tabriz Prison, as well as the sentencing of protester Saman Doreh-Gard to 10 years. Human rights groups report severe overcrowding and violence at Greater Tehran Prison and a hunger strike at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. These crackdowns follow late 2025 protests sparked by hyperinflation, which the Human Rights Activists News Agency verifies resulted in 7,007 deaths.

Rights organizations claim the Iranian government is exploiting a period of international instability to purge dissidents. Amnesty International asserts the state is using wartime conditions—following a February 28 conflict involving the United States and Israel—to accelerate executions. This occurs despite a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 17 between the United States and Iran, which omitted specific human rights protections.