Table of Contents
Iran has executed nine members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), convicted of orchestrating a series of planned terror attacks targeting civilians and urban centres across the country. The executions were confirmed by Iran’s judiciary through its official outlet, Mizan News Agency, following a final ruling by the nation’s Supreme Court.
The men were originally captured in 2018 after an armed confrontation with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran’s restive western region, near the country’s border with Iraq.
Convicted of “Waging War Against God”
According to the Iranian judiciary, the executed individuals were found guilty of multiple serious charges including:
- “Waging war against God” (Moharebeh)
- Engaging in acts of terrorism
- Illegal possession of military-grade weaponry
The judicial verdict stated that the group had intended to carry out coordinated assaults in both border provinces and key urban areas. Security officials recovered a cache of arms and military equipment from their hideout at the time of arrest.
“The death sentences of nine members of the terrorist group were carried out after confirmation by Iran’s Supreme Court,” Mizan reported.
Plot Foiled by IRGC in 2018
The men were detained during a counterterrorism operation conducted by the IRGC in 2018. According to General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the IRGC ground forces, the suspects were attempting to infiltrate Iranian territory and carry out simultaneous attacks in several cities.
The operation was intense and deadly: three Iranian soldiers were killed when some of the ISIL operatives detonated suicide vests during the confrontation. Iranian authorities said this plot was among several foiled attempts to destabilize the country during a period of regional upheaval.
A Lingering Threat Despite ISIL’s Collapse
ISIL, once a powerful jihadist force that controlled vast stretches of land in Iraq and Syria, has lost nearly all of its territory following sustained military campaigns by a U.S.-led coalition and regional forces. However, the group remains a potent underground threat, especially in volatile areas like eastern Syria, northern Iraq, and parts of Iran.
UN Chief Warns Against Turning Deep Sea into ‘Wild West’ as Global Ocean Summit Opens
ISIL continues to stage sporadic but deadly attacks across the region. In January 2024, the group claimed responsibility for twin bombings in Kerman, southern Iran, which targeted a memorial ceremony for General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force assassinated by the U.S. in 2020.
The bombings claimed over 90 lives, making it one of the deadliest terror incidents in modern Iranian history.
ISIL Activity Inside Iran: A History of Violence
Iran has been a frequent target of ISIL-linked operations. In 2017, suicide bombers and gunmen launched coordinated attacks on Iran’s parliament and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, killing at least 18 people. It was the first major ISIL attack inside Iran and marked a turning point in the country’s domestic counterterrorism policies.
Since then, Iran has stepped up its efforts to dismantle ISIL sleeper cells and has regularly announced the arrest of suspected operatives. Just this week, Iranian police reported the apprehension of 13 suspected ISIL members in nationwide security raids.
Meanwhile, ISIL has also re-emerged in Syria. Last month, the group claimed responsibility for a deadly ambush against Syrian government forces, marking its first confirmed attack on the Assad regime since losing its territorial hold.
Capital Punishment and Global Scrutiny
Iran’s use of the death penalty continues to attract significant criticism from human rights organisations. According to Amnesty International, the country executed at least 972 people in 2024, making it the second-highest executioner in the world, trailing only behind China.
Human rights advocates argue that Iran’s anti-terrorism laws are often broadly defined and used to suppress dissent. The charge of “waging war against God” has also been levelled at political activists, leading to concerns over due process and judicial fairness.
Despite these criticisms, Iranian authorities maintain that swift and severe punishments are necessary to deter terrorist activities and protect national security.
