Iran Exploits Diplomacy With U.S. To Execute Protesters

On February 11, 2026, marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Republic, Iran continued its crackdown on internal dissent despite ongoing indirect diplomatic talks with the United States in Oman. The Iranian judiciary executed 20-year-old Ali Heydari in Mashhad on February 9, the first reported execution of a participant from the recent 'Lion and Sun Revolution' protests. This incident is part of a broader pattern where Tehran has executed multiple political detainees and individuals accused of espionage since January 2024. Furthermore, Iranian authorities have transferred over 2,500 protesters to notorious prisons like Evin and Qarchak, while exerting psychological pressure on families to attend regime rallies. On the military front, Tehran reportedly launched a drone toward a U.S. naval vessel in the Persian Gulf, signaling an escalation in hostilities even as negotiations proceed. Analysts suggest Iran is using diplomacy as a 'shield' to eliminate domestic opposition without facing immediate international consequences.