Iran executes three men over alleged links to US, Israel during protests

Iran has executed three men convicted of carrying out armed violence during the January anti-government protests, allegedly acting on behalf of the United States and Israel. The executions occurred on Sunday following the Supreme Court's confirmation of their death sentences, according to Iranian state media. The condemned individuals were identified as Hassan Dioband, Hamid Kazemi, and Reza Zanganeh.

Iranian authorities accused the trio of using firearms, grenades, and Molotov cocktails during the unrest, setting public facilities on fire, and damaging an electricity substation in Karaj, which caused power outages in parts of the city. Dioband was arrested on January 11 based on investigations that allegedly linked him to attacks on public property and attempts to incite violence.

Ten other individuals were later detained over claims of participating in the unrest under his direction. The three men were sentenced to death and ordered to surrender their properties, while the remaining defendants received prison terms ranging from five to ten years. These executions are part of a series of capital punishment cases in Iran against individuals accused of participating in the January demonstrations and having ties to the United States and Israel.

Tehran has frequently accused foreign governments of supporting unrest within the country. However, human rights organizations have raised concerns about the treatment of protesters and the fairness of judicial proceedings in cases involving capital punishment.