Full Breakdown
Iran’s Surge in Executions of Protesters and Alleged Israeli Spies
4/26/2026, 6:37:53 AM
Surge in Executions Amid War
Since the February 28 U.S.–Israeli war with Iran, Islamic Republic has announced at least 13 executions of political prisoners, including protesters and those charged with espionage for Israel. The most publicized case is the hanging of Erfan Kiani in Isfahan, labeled a “hired thug of Mossad.”
Context – Protests and Conflict
Mass demonstrations began in December 2025 over inflation and the rial collapse, expanding into calls for regime change. The war with United States and Israel, which started in February 2026, has been accompanied by arrests on charges such as “espionage,” “acting against national security,” and “waging war against God.”
Notable Cases
Erfan Kiani was hanged in early 2026 for alleged Mossad ties and violent protest actions in Isfahan. Other recent executions include Sultan Ali Shirzadi Fakhr (collaboration with Israeli intelligence) and 18-year-old Amirhossein Hatami, executed on April 2 for burning government property; Amnesty International called his trial “grossly unfair.”
Statistics
Reports by Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty recorded 1,639 executions in 2025, a 68 % rise and the highest total since 1989. Since war began, the judiciary announced 13 political prisoners executed. Monitors cite over 7,000 protest-related deaths, including 383 children.
Official Statements
Iran’s judiciary affirmed legality of the death sentences, citing national-security violations and foreign-intelligence collaboration. U.S. President Donald Trump requested the release of eight female protesters slated for execution and announced that four would be freed and four given one-month prison terms. UN expert Mai Sato warned the trials “include serious violations of fair trial standards.”
Human Rights Criticism
Amnesty International, Iran Human Rights (IHR) and the Human Rights News Agency condemn the executions as deterrent measures, noting secret trials, alleged torture-induced confessions and lack of due process. IHR reports convictions often occur “behind closed doors and in a short period of time.”
Conflicting Reports
Independent verification of execution figures and case details remains limited; ABC News could not confirm the reported death tolls, and no transparent judicial records are publicly available.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am sure that they will respect the fact that you did so. Please do them no harm!” — Donald Trump, President of the United States (Truth Social)
- “Trump wrote on Truth Social: “I have just been informed that the eight women protestors who were going to be executed tonight in Iran will no longer be killed.” — Donald Trump (Truth Social)
- “include serious violations of fair trial standards.” — Mai Sato, UN expert on Iran’s human-rights situation
- “brave rebellious youth” — National Council of Resistance in Iran, describing Erfan Kiani
Outlook
U.S. officials indicate that negotiations over the detained women may continue. Monitoring groups expect further scrutiny of trial procedures.
