Iran Executes 9 IS Militants Amid Rights Criticism

Iran executed nine individuals by hanging after they were convicted of being members of the Islamic State (IS) group, following their arrest in western Iran after a deadly 2018 clash with the Revolutionary Guards. The Supreme Court upheld their sentences on charges including 'waging war against God,' armed rebellion, and weapons possession, with authorities citing planned simultaneous terrorist attacks against civilians. The detainees were reportedly found with a cache of weapons and accused of intending attacks in border and central cities. These executions come amid ongoing IS threats and recent suicide bombings in Iran in 2024. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the UN, have criticized Iran's high execution rates and raised concerns about due process in terrorism trials, noting that execution rates are at their highest since 2015. The events underscore Iran's determination to confront terrorism while drawing international scrutiny over its judicial practices.