Iran has executed two members of the exiled Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) group, who were convicted of manufacturing and using homemade projectiles to target homes, public buildings, and charitable institutions in Tehran. The MEK, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and several other countries, has long been at odds with the Iranian government.
The convictions were reportedly based on evidence gathered from intercepted communications and forensic analysis of the projectiles used in the attacks. Iranian officials stated that the executions were carried out in accordance with the country’s legal procedures and that the individuals had been given the opportunity to defend themselves in court.
The executions have drawn international condemnation, with several human rights organizations criticizing the Iranian government for its use of the death penalty and the lack of transparency in the judicial process. The United Nations has also expressed concern over the treatment of the MEK members and the potential for political persecution.
The MEK, which was founded in the 1960s and was active during the Iranian Revolution, has been based in Iraq and Syria since the late 1990s. The group has been accused of carrying out numerous attacks on Iranian government targets, though its exact role in these incidents has been difficult to verify.
The decision to execute the two MEK members is likely to have significant implications for the group’s international standing and its ability to operate in the region. It may also serve as a further message from the Iranian government regarding its stance on terrorism and national security.