23 march 2026

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TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran carried out the execution of three men in Qom Central Prison on 19 March 2026, following what the judiciary described as conclusive evidence linking the individuals to foreign intelligence agencies, including the American CIA and Israeli Mossad.

The executions, the first directly related to the nationwide anti-government protests that erupted in January 2026, have been framed by Tehran as a necessary counter-terrorism operation against ‘foreign-backed riots’ aimed at destabilising the country.

‘No Leniency’ for Foreign-Affiliated Agents

According to the Iranian Judiciary’s official news outlet, Mizān News Agency, the three executed men—identified as Saleh Mohammadi (19), Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi—were convicted of moharebeh (waging war against God) for the killing of two police officers during the January protests. However, the judiciary emphasised that the capital charges stemmed from more than just street violence.

Judiciary officials stated that the individuals were members of a ‘terrorist team’ with documented links to the United States and Israel. The official communiqué published by the Iranian Judiciary Public Relations Office alleged that the group had been in contact with foreign intelligence operatives and had received financial support from abroad to carry out acts of violence against security forces.

During a press conference on 22 March, Judiciary Spokesperson Asghar Jahangir defended the executions, asserting that authorities had identified a network of individuals receiving direct orders and funding from the Mossad. ‘There will be no leniency for those who take up arms against the security of the nation under the direction of foreign espionage services,’ Jahangir told reporters.

The ‘Starlink’ and CIA Connection

Iranian state media, including Press TV and the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) , have amplified allegations that the recent wave of unrest was not a spontaneous domestic uprising but a coordinated foreign operation.

A report by Press TV highlighted the role of the US-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED) , which Iranian authorities describe as a ‘CIA-founded NGO’. According to Iranian security officials, the NED deployed approximately 200 Starlink satellite devices inside Iran during the protests. Authorities claim these devices were used to co-ordinate attacks and maintain encrypted communications between protesters and foreign intelligence handlers.

Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Division released a statement praising the judiciary’s actions and specifically pointing to the seizure of foreign-made weapons and communications equipment from cells affiliated with the protest movement. The IRGC reiterated that individuals who take up arms against state security forces, particularly those receiving ‘payments in dollars from abroad’, face capital punishment regardless of international pressure.

Supreme Leader and President Frame Protests as Foreign War

The legal proceedings and subsequent executions reflect a broader strategic narrative adopted by Iran’s highest leadership. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian have consistently characterised the January protests not as political dissent, but as a ‘hybrid war’ orchestrated by the United States and Israel.

This narrative gained traction following statements from former CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who publicly acknowledged the presence of Mossad agents operating in Iran. Iranian officials seized on these comments as a ‘confession’ of foreign meddling, using them to justify the aggressive judicial response.

‘The enemies of the revolution sought to use rioters as leverage to destabilise the Islamic Republic,’ a statement from the IRGC read. ‘The recent executions serve as a warning that any network funded and directed by the CIA or Mossad will meet the full force of the law.’

Legal Framework and Supreme Court Review

Iranian authorities have been careful to frame the executions within the bounds of the country’s legal system to counter international criticism. According to Mehr News Agency, the death sentences were initially handed down by a Revolutionary Court and subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court of Iran.

Officials cited Articles 279 through 288 of the Islamic Penal Code of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which define the parameters of moharebeh. Under Iranian law, individuals found guilty of taking up arms against the state or acting in co-ordination with foreign enemies to undermine national security are subject to capital punishment.

Spokesperson Jahangir emphasised during his press conference that all defendants had access to legal counsel and that the judicial process was conducted in accordance with the law, despite what he described as ‘Western propaganda’ aimed at interfering in Iran’s internal affairs.

Context of Foreign Involvement

While human rights organisations and Western governments have condemned the executions as a suppression of dissent, Iranian state media have pointed to documented instances of foreign involvement in previous unrest to validate their actions.

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) —an organisation funded by the US Congress—has a long history of operating in countries deemed adversaries of the United States. Iranian officials argue that the deployment of Starlink satellites and the provision of financial support to protest networks constitutes direct intervention in Iran’s sovereignty.

Additionally, analysts cited by Al Jazeera have noted that there is a well-documented history of covert operations between Israel and Iran. The public admission by former CIA Director Pompeo regarding Mossad operations inside Iran provided the Iranian government with what it considered irrefutable proof that the protests were part of a larger foreign intelligence campaign.

Conclusion

As Iran continues to navigate internal unrest alongside an ongoing war with Israel and the United States, the government has made clear that it views the combination of foreign interference and domestic dissent as an existential threat. The 19 March executions, supported by official statements from the judiciary, the IRGC and the Supreme Leader’s office, represent a firm declaration that individuals found to have ties to foreign intelligence services will face the death penalty.

With at least 27 additional death sentences reportedly issued and over 100 detainees facing capital charges, Iranian authorities have signalled that these executions are likely the beginning of a broader crackdown on networks they allege are funded and trained by the CIA and Mossad.

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