Iran Publicly Hangs 2 January Protesters as Executions Surge in 2026
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 28
Iran Publicly Hangs 2 January Protesters as Executions Surge in 2026
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 28
Summary
Two men arrested in January protests — Amirhossein Safari and Abolfazl Sepahi — were publicly hanged at dawn Tuesday in Isfahan’s Shahid Alikhani Square, rights groups said.
Videos verified by The New York Times showed crowds near the site chanting “shameless” and booing, signaling a rare public backlash to an execution in Iran.
Public hangings are extremely rare even in Iran, and activists said the move marked an escalation aimed at stifling dissent after the January unrest and during the war with the United States.
At least 24 people have been executed in cases tied to the January protests since early 2026, according to earlier rights-group reporting, with more death sentences feared.
What would an interim Strait of Hormuz agreement actually look like if Iran denies direct talks, demands control, and Gulf states fear more attacks?
Is the current pause with Iran genuine diplomacy, or just a brief reset before renewed strikes, shipping disruption, and another oil shock?
The 2026 Isfahan Executions: Iran’s Mass Death Sentences, Forced Confessions, and the Crackdown on Protesters
Overview
In January 2026, nationwide protests in Isfahan led the Iranian government to accuse 12 young men of serious crimes, including arson and killing security personnel. Forced confessions were extracted under torture, and rushed, closed-door trials resulted in death sentences. On July 28, 2026, public executions took place in Alikhani Square after security forces prepared the site and clashed with families and residents trying to stop them. The executions sparked public outrage and protests, which were violently suppressed. Meanwhile, the regime used the cover of regional war to fast-track prosecutions and executions, aiming to deter further dissent.