Key facts
- Iran executed Siavash Jamshidi Kheirabadi, detained during January protests.
- The judiciary stated Kheirabadi fired at police on January 8 and was arrested with a handgun.
- He was accused of organizing "anti-security" activities and seeking payment for a "mission."
- The protests began in late 2025 over economic hardship and expanded to calls for regime change.
- Iran alleged US and Israeli backing for armed groups involved in the protests.
- Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu confirmed Israel had operatives in Iran.
Iran has executed a man detained during protests in January for allegedly firing at police and organizing "anti-security" activities, the judiciary announced on Saturday. Siavash Jamshidi Kheirabadi was accused of firing at least three shots at police on January 8 and was arrested two days later in Shahrekord with a handgun.
The judiciary also accused Kheirabadi of contacting people online to organize "anti-security" activities and seeking payment for a "mission," without identifying the purported backer. The protests, which began on December 28, 2025, initially stemmed from economic hardship but grew into widespread demonstrations calling for an end to clerical rule.
Iran has blamed armed groups and operatives backed by the United States 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 aiming to weaken its capabilities, though he denied direct efforts to topple the leadership.