Iranian authorities executed two men on the morning of Monday, March 30, 2026, after convicting them of membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), a banned opposition group. The judiciary’s news outlet, Mizan Online, reported that the men were hanged in Tehran’s Evin Prison following the final approval of their sentences by the Supreme Court.
The Charges: “Armed Attacks” and “Terrorism”
The two men, identified as Akbar Daneshvar-Kar and Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi, were accused of participating in “riots and urban terrorist actions” aimed at overthrowing the Islamic Republic.
- The Allegation: Prosecutors claimed the individuals plotted armed attacks in Tehran using “improvised launcher devices” and explosive materials discovered in linked safe houses.
- The Timeline: Both men had been arrested in early 2024 and were held for over a year before their execution. Their convictions centered on the charge of moharebeh (waging war against God) and disrupting national security.
Human Rights Concerns and “Shadow of War”
The executions have drawn sharp condemnation from international rights groups and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the political arm of the PMOI.
- Due Process Issues: Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, had previously warned that the cases were marked by serious violations, including delayed access to lawyers and allegations of confessions extracted under torture.
- Wartime Crackdown: Human rights organizations, including Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), have warned of a “new wave of mass executions” carried out under the cover of the ongoing war with the U.S. and Israel.
- Political Repression: Activists argue that the timing—executing political prisoners while the state is under military threat—is a deliberate strategy to “quell resistance” and intimidate a domestic population already restless after months of pre-war protests.
Context: The Domestic Front in the U.S.-Iran War
The executions occur as the conflict enters its 31st day, with the Iranian judiciary taking an increasingly hard line against perceived internal threats.
- Earlier Executions: Just 11 days ago, on March 19, Iran executed three other men in Qom for allegedly killing police officers during January unrest.
- Anti-Establishment Unrest: The government estimates that over 3,000 people were killed during the nationwide protests that began in December 2025, though HRANA estimates the toll exceeds 7,000.
- The “Traitors” Narrative: The Ministry of Intelligence recently announced the arrest of 111 “pro-monarchy cells,” labeling them as “traitors” aligned with U.S. and Israeli interests.
| Date | Incident | Status |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Execution of Akbar Daneshvar-Kar and Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi. | Confirmed (Hanging). |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Execution of 3 men in Qom linked to January protests. | Confirmed (Public Hanging). |
| Ongoing | Hundreds of political prisoners on death row. | Urgent Global Appeal. |
International Reaction
The Paris-based NCRI described the executions as a “barbaric act” and called for immediate international action to save the lives of other PMOI members currently on death row. In Washington, the reports have been used by some lawmakers to argue against the “Islamabad Track” of peace talks, claiming the “Third Regime” in Tehran is no less repressive than its predecessors.
