Tehran, Iran – Iran’s judiciary has vowed to continue taking “decisive” action against people it accuses of working for foreign interests, as it reports more executions and asset seizures.
According to a state television report broadcast late Monday, judicial and security authorities said they would “take decisive action against the enemy’s mercenaries, without leniency until the last time.”
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The report came hours after judicial authorities executed three men who were arrested in the northeastern city of Mashhad during nationwide protests in January that senior officials described as a “coup” attempt by the United States and Israel.
State media broadcast confessions from the men, whom authorities described as “agents” of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency and “riot leaders.” According to the report, the men acted against the government by using knives and swords against Basij paramilitary forces and damaging public property.
An increasing number of prisoners have been hanged in recent weeks, particularly since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran on February 28. The executions are linked to anti-establishment protests Thousands of people were killed amid a government-mandated internet shutdown.
Last week, 21-year-old Sasan Azadvar was executed in Isfahan for “cooperating with the enemy.” According to the judiciary, the acts included “attacking a minibus carrying security forces with stones and a club as well as breaking windows in public buses and private vehicles.”
Authorities claimed that while the legal process for those arrested in connection with the protests has been significantly expedited, trials remain legal and executions will be carried out after Supreme Court justices give the green light.
Foreign-based human rights organizations and opponents of the Iranian government have said prisoners are not receiving fair trials and their families are being pressured to keep quiet about arrests and executions, something Iranian authorities reject.
Several prisoners were also executed after being convicted of spying for Israel and other national security charges. Security offenses can result in a conviction for Moharebeh, or “waging war against God,” and other penalties bear the death penalty.
Earlier this week, two men were hanged for allegedly sending images of military facilities to the Mossad, attempting to recruit others for sabotage activities and calling security agencies with fabricated leads to redirect them.
Several members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK), a foreign-based group considered a “terrorist” organization by Iranian authorities, have also been executed in recent weeks.
Foreign human rights organizations reported that in 2025 and 2026, Iranian authorities carried out the most executions since 1989, when political dissidents and MEK members were sentenced to death in large numbers.
A report last month by Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty said at least 1,639 executions were recorded in 2025, up 68 percent from the previous year.
The United Nations confirmed in late April that at least 21 people have been executed and more than 4,000 arrested on national security charges since this year’s war began. Iranian authorities did not comment on the figures.
Economic measures
The Iranian authorities have also done this private assets confiscated by Iranians inside and outside the country in response to perceived anti-establishment activities.
The latest such move was announced on Tuesday morning, when the judiciary announced that authorities in Semnan province, east of Tehran, had confiscated the assets of 22 “traitors and traitors associated with the Zionist regime (Israel) and enemy countries.”
During the U.S.-imposed naval blockade, which has worsened Iran’s already difficult economic situation, authorities have also warned that they will crack down on any disruptive actions such as hoarding of goods, and have threatened prison sentences of up to 20 years, flogging and fines for anyone convicted.
Justice chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei also warned that those who hoard, price-gouge or sell expired goods will face “decisive” legal action.
Prices rose sharply this week across the country, especially for food, medicine, cars and electronic devices. And there may be difficult times ahead, with little sign of a lasting solution to the conflict with the US and Israel, despite an ongoing ceasefire.
“The current price level is unacceptable. The price increases are due to the chaos of war and sanctions,” said the head of the Iranian Central Bank, Abdolnasser Hemmati, on Tuesday. “But people should not worry because their resistance is having an effect and, God willing, victory will soon be achieved.”
