Iran executes multiple protesters in escalating crackdown on 2022 and 2025 dissent

Iranian authorities have carried out a series of executions targeting individuals convicted of crimes allegedly committed during protest movements spanning 2022 and late 2025. The first execution involved a man convicted of killing a security force member during the 2022 nationwide protests that erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini. The regime's use of the death penalty against protesters has drawn sustained international condemnation and reflects a broader pattern of using the judiciary as an instrument of political control. The scope of executions has now expanded beyond the 2022 protest cycle. Two additional individuals, Erfan Esfandiari and Gol Mohammad Mohammadi, were executed after being detained during the December 2025 uprising in Isfahan, referred to as 'Khizesh 1404.' This indicates that Iran is applying the same lethal suppression tactics to more recent waves of unrest, suggesting a systematic and escalating policy rather than isolated judicial actions. ## Latest Update As of July 19, 2026, Iran executed two protesters — Erfan Esfandiari and Gol Mohammad Mohammadi — connected to the December 2025 Isfahan uprising known as 'Khizesh 1404.' This marks a significant escalation beyond the previously reported single execution tied to the 2022 protests, confirming that the crackdown now spans at least two distinct protest cycles and is actively targeting participants in the most recent unrest. ## Timeline - **2026-07-18**: Iranian authorities announce the execution of a man convicted of killing a security force member during the 2022 nationwide protests (ABC News). - **2026-07-19**: Iran executes two additional protesters, Erfan Esfandiari and Gol Mohammad Mohammadi, detained during the December 2025 Isfahan uprising ('Khizesh 1404'), broadening the crackdown to the most recent protest movement (Crypto Briefing). ## What to Watch - **Further executions**: Monitor for additional death sentences being carried out against detainees from both the 2022 and 2025 protest waves, as the pace appears to be accelerating. - **International response and sanctions**: Watch for reactions from Western governments, the UN Human Rights Council, or NGOs that could trigger new sanctions or diplomatic pressure on Tehran, which may in turn affect regional stability. - **Domestic unrest escalation**: Executions of protest-linked individuals historically risk reigniting street demonstrations in Iran; track for signs of renewed civil unrest, particularly in Isfahan and other urban centers where 'Khizesh 1404' was concentrated.