Iran executes two men over recent anti-government protests

Iran has executed two men accused of rioting during recent anti-government protests, amid reports from rights groups that they were Kurdish political prisoners put to death in secret.

The state-linked Mizan news agency named the men as Mehrdad Mohammadiniya and Ashkan Maliki.

Mizan said the two were the "main organisers" behind the burning of the Jafari mosque in Tehran's Gisha neighbourhood.

The agency reported that they were executed on Monday morning after their death sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court. They were also convicted of destroying state property, clashing with security forces, and blocking streets.

Neither Mizan nor other state media outlets provided details about the conditions of their detention or the trials.

However, the Oslo-based Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights said the two men were Kurdish political prisoners.

Hengaw said the executions were carried out in secret, and that both men were denied a final meeting with their families before they were put to death.

The executions relate to widespread unrest that began in December 2025 over economic grievances before quickly escalating into broader demonstrations calling for an end to Iran's clerical rule.

Security forces responded to the protests with a violent crackdown. Human rights organisations estimate that at least 7,000 people were killed, though they warn the actual figure is likely to be higher.

Hundreds of people arrested during the unrest remain in Iranian prisons on security charges. Activists fear that many of them could also face the death penalty.

Iran has one of the world's highest rates of capital punishment.

According to Norway-based Iran Human Rights and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM), at least 1,639 people, including 48 women, were executed in the country in 2025.