Iran’s regime is at war with its own people – and executions are its weapon – opinion

Iran's regime is intensifying its use of executions as a tool to suppress widespread protests and maintain power, a strategy that mirrors its actions from nearly five decades ago. Since January 2026, at least 932 people have been executed, with over 100 more facing death sentences on what are described as bogus national security charges. These charges, such as "waging war against Allah" or "spreading corruption on earth," are used to frame opposition as foreign-backed, despite being organic and homegrown. The executions, often following sham trials and forced confessions, are intended to deter a population seeking freedom. This crackdown coincides with internal regime concerns about renewed protests, leading to efforts to identify and track online critics. The article argues that democratic governments should recognize the regime's focus on survival and integrate human rights into all policy discussions, rather than treating it as a separate issue. As champion wrestler Navid Afkari stated before his 2020 execution, the regime will continue "searching for necks to hang from its gallows."