Iran executes 6 death-row inmates it alleges carried out attacks on behalf of Israel

Iran executed six death-row inmates Saturday it alleged carried out attacks in the country’s oil-rich southwest on behalf of Israel, the latest prisoners to be put to death in a wave of executions believed to be the highest in decades.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran executed six death-row inmates Saturday who it alleged carried out attacks in the country’s oil-rich southwest on behalf of Israel, the latest prisoners to be put to death in a wave of executions believed to be the highest in decades.

The executions follow the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June, which ended with Tehran vowing that it would target its enemies at home and abroad. However, activists warn that Iran often relies on coerced confessions and closed-door trials in its death penalty cases, particularly those involving Israel.

Iran said the men killed police officers and security forces, as well as orchestrated bombings targeting sites around Khorramshahr in Iran’s restive Khuzestan province. Iranian state television aired footage of one of the men talking about the attacks, saying it was the first time the details were being made public.

A Kurdish group called the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reported the men’s execution, identifying them all as “Arab political prisoners” detained during protests in 2019. It said Iran had accused the men of having links to the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz, which has launched attacks against oil pipelines in Iran’s southwest in the past and other attacks.

Iranian president says Trump's current path will 'set fire' to the Middle East00:59“The six men were subjected to severe torture and coerced into giving televised ‘confessions’ under duress,” Hengaw said.