Iran executes man detained during January protests, judiciary says

October 3, 2026 at 02:55 PM2 min

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Iran executed Siavash Jamshidi Kheirabadi, a man detained during January protests, the judiciary said on Saturday. He was accused of firing at least three shots at police on January 8 and was arrested two days later with a handgun in Shahrekord. The execution comes after protests that erupted on December 28, 2025, over economic hardship and grew into calls for an end to clerical rule.

Key Facts

Siavash Jamshidi Kheirabadi was executed after being detained during January protests, the judiciary said on Saturday.
He was accused of firing at least three shots at police on January 8 and was arrested two days later with a handgun in Shahrekord.
The protests began on December 28, 2025, over economic hardship and grew into widespread demonstrations calling for an end to clerical rule.
Iran blamed armed groups and operatives backed by the US and Israel for involvement in the protests and some of the violence.
Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu acknowledged during the protests that Israel had operatives inside Iran.

Execution Details

The judiciary said Siavash Jamshidi Kheirabadi fired at least three shots at police on January 8. He was arrested two days later with a handgun in Shahrekord in southwestern Iran. The judiciary accused him of contacting people online to organise “anti-security” activities and seeking payment for a “mission”. It did not identify who was purported to be behind the mission.

Protest Context

The protests erupted on December 28, 2025, over economic hardship. They swelled into widespread demonstrations calling for the end of clerical rule in the Islamic Republic. Iran blamed armed groups and operatives backed by the US and Israel for involvement in the protests and for some of the violence. Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu acknowledged during the protests that Israel had operatives inside Iran. He said they aimed to weaken Iran’s capabilities, though he denied they were directly working to topple the leadership.