Iran executes two men convicted of armed rebellion and separatist ties

Iran hanged two men, Ramin Zaleh and Karim Maroufpour, after convicting them of armed rebellion, membership in separatist terrorist groups and participation in armed attacks and assassination plots against security forces in western Iran. The judiciary said the pair sought to disrupt national security by forming criminal groups and organizing armed uprisings.

The executions are part of a wave of capital punishments carried out since the outbreak of the regional conflict with Israel and the United States in February, which has seen Iran increase executions for alleged espionage and security‑related offences. Iran is the world’s second‑largest executor after China, according to rights groups. Earlier in the month the country also executed individuals accused of selling information to Israeli intelligence and an aerospace engineering student on similar charges.