Authorities in Iran have executed three men convicted over their involvement in anti-government protests linked to rising living costs.

According to the judiciary’s official outlet, Mizan Online, the executions were carried out after the Supreme Court of Iran upheld the death sentences.

The report identified two of the executed men as Mehdi Rassouli and Mohammad Reza Miri, who were accused of acting as agents of Mossad and participating in violent unrest in Mashhad. Authorities alleged that they used weapons, incited violence, and were directly involved in the killing of a security officer.

A third individual, Ebrahim Dolatabadi, was described as a key instigator of the protests in the same city, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of several security personnel.

Iranian authorities said the protests, which intensified in January, initially began as peaceful demonstrations over worsening economic conditions before escalating into violence. The government has attributed the unrest to what it described as foreign interference, particularly by the United States and Israel.

The executions come amid a broader crackdown following waves of protests, including earlier demonstrations between 2022 and 2023 that erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini.

Human rights organisations have consistently criticised Iran’s use of capital punishment. According to Norway-based Iran Human Rights, the country remains one of the world’s leading executioners, with hundreds of people executed annually.

Iranian officials, however, maintain that such measures are necessary to uphold law and order and address what they describe as security threats.