As the world looks away, Iran continues brutal hangings of protesters to crush the next uprising

What Happened

On July 28, Iranian security forces publicly executed Abolfazl Sepahi Badjani and Amirhossein Safari Hosseinabadi in Alikhani Square, Isfahan, following convictions related to clashes during a nationwide uprising in January. Rights groups report that these individuals, along with Arvin Kheirkhahan—who was executed at Shahrud Prison on August 1—were subjected to torture and denied independent legal representation during Revolutionary Court proceedings. According to Amnesty International, at least 26 individuals have been executed in connection with the protests since late December 2025, with at least 60 additional protesters currently under death sentences.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The systematic use of capital punishment against participants of the January uprising serves as a long-term deterrent strategy by the Iranian state to suppress domestic political dissent. By extending the crackdown through judicial executions months after the initial unrest, the regime aims to dismantle the organizational capacity of protesters and impose a psychological barrier against future confrontations with security forces.

Watch For

Monitor for further reports from human rights organizations regarding the status of the 60 individuals currently under death sentences and any potential shifts in public response to state-sanctioned executions in urban centers.