Iran executes two men over alleged MEK links amid ongoing war tensions

Iranian authorities have carried out the execution of two men convicted of links to a banned opposition organisation, in a move that comes amid heightened tensions during the country’s ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.

According to a statement released by the judiciary’s official outlet, the sentences against Akbar Daneshvarkar and Mohammad Taghavi-Sangdehi were implemented following final approval by the Supreme Court. Both men were accused of involvement in activities aimed at undermining the state.

Officials said the two had been affiliated with the People’s Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), an opposition group that has operated in exile for decades and is classified as a terrorist organisation by Tehran. Authorities alleged that the individuals had participated in acts described as violent unrest and operations targeting national security.

Details surrounding the timing of their arrests or the extent of their involvement in recent protests have not been publicly clarified. However, state media reported that the charges included participation in actions intended to destabilise the Islamic republic and support efforts to overthrow it.

The executions take place against the backdrop of a broader period of internal and external pressure on Iran. The country is currently engaged in a widening regional conflict following military strikes launched in late February, which have drawn in both the United States and Israel.

Domestically, Iran has experienced recurring waves of unrest in recent months. Protests initially driven by economic grievances evolved into wider demonstrations challenging the government. Iranian authorities have characterised the unrest as externally influenced and linked to organised militant activity.

There remains significant divergence in reported casualty figures from the protests. Officials in Tehran have stated that thousands of people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were killed during the disturbances. Independent monitoring groups, however, have reported substantially higher figures and suggested that a large proportion of those killed were demonstrators.

The executions are likely to intensify scrutiny of Iran’s internal security policies and judicial practices, particularly as the country navigates both domestic instability and an increasingly complex regional conflict.