We are marking the first anniversary of a heinous act of state-sanctioned murder. One year ago, on the morning of July 27, 2025, the clerical regime in Iran executed Mehdi Hassani, a political prisoner and devoted member of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). The regime intended his death to be a calculated act of terror, a warning to a restless and defiant population increasingly gravitating toward the Iranian Resistance.
However, looking back on the letters and messages he smuggled out of prison in the months before his execution, it is clear that the regime’s terror tactics failed. Mehdi Hassani consciously chose to give his life for the cause of a free Iran.
His ultimate sacrifice stands as a testament to the fact that the regime’s brutality only hardens the resolve of PMOI members. This unbreakable spirit is the engine of the PMOI’s 60-year struggle against the dictatorships of both the Shah and the mullahs—a formidable force that the regime cannot destroy.
Mehdi Hassani was a 48-year-old father of three from Zanjan. Arrested on September 11, 2022, he represented the enduring spirit of resistance that the regime fears most. He was executed alongside 69-year-old Behrouz Ehsani, a veteran of the struggle for freedom. Their true “crime” was their unwavering belief in a democratic Iran.
The path to their execution was a horrifying showcase of a corrupt judicial system. From the moment of his arrest, Hassani was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture in the notorious Ward 209 of Evin Prison. He was ultimately condemned by the infamous judge Iman Afshari for “moharebeh” (waging war against God), “baghi” (armed rebellion), and “membership in the Mojahedin (PMOI).”
The legal process was a complete mockery of due process. Mehdi Hassani’s lawyer was denied access to the case file, and the regime’s Supreme Court dismissed requests for a judicial review without even bothering to obtain the original files.
These state-sanctioned murders were not isolated events but part of a broader, desperate campaign of executions under the presidency of Masoud Pezeshkian. This horrifying escalation is a brutal attempt by the regime to crush dissent amid rising fears of a public uprising.
“Fear the one who can take your soul”: The unbroken spirit of Mehdi Hassani
Despite facing unimaginable brutality and a predetermined fate, Mehdi Hassani’s spirit remained unbroken. In a message sent in March 2025, he proudly reflected on his lifelong commitment to the Resistance, writing that he had been acquainted with the PMOI for 40 years through his father and uncle.
His defiance during interrogations was legendary. Even in the clutches of his captors, he did not cower. In his own words, he stated: “Today, with all my existence, I will stand tall and defend my beloved organization, just as I explicitly declared my support during the interrogation in the regime’s sham court, where I tore up their repentance letter and handed it back to them.”
Embracing his fate with a serene and unbreakable courage, Hassani quoted Jesus Christ to explain his fearlessness in the face of the gallows: “One should fear the one who can take your soul, not the one who can only torture your body and nothing more.”
A vision for a free Iran and the rejection of dictatorship
Even from the confines of Evin Prison, Hassani clearly saw the regime’s impending doom. In April 2025, just months before his execution, he wrote that the regime was caught in domestic and foreign crises, entering the “weakest phase of its disgraceful existence.” He highlighted the absolute poverty millions of Iranians face, noting that parents are ashamed they cannot provide basic necessities for their hungry children.
Rooted in a principled struggle for true democracy, Hassani emphasized the responsibility of all freedom fighters to maintain a “decisive and clear demarcation with the two dictatorships of the Shah and the Sheikh.”
On July 13, 2025, two weeks before his execution, Hassani sent his final message renewing his pledge with the PMOI and the Resistance Units. Fully aware of his impending death, he pledged: “Until the last drop of my blood, I will not retreat a single iota from my ideal.”
His final, immortalized words from prison were a battle cry for the youth of Iran: “No bowing down. Ready, ready, ready!”
By murdering heroes like Mehdi Hassani, Khamenei’s regime has only exposed its profound weakness. It is a regime that cannot tolerate dissent, that sees its own demise in the courage of political prisoners, and that relies on the gallows to maintain its illegitimate rule. However, as Mehdi Hassani’s final letters prove, these crimes will not bring the regime security; they only further fuel the flames of public anger and resistance.
Full text of the letters of martyr Mehdi Hassani
Message of the Mehdi Hassani – March 2025
In the name of God and greetings to all the martyrs of the path of freedom. And greetings and thousands of greetings to all the Ashrafis and supporters of Ashraf.
Since childhood, I became acquainted with the name of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran through my dear uncle and my father, and now, after 40 years, I still proudly declare that I am a supporter of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all my dear compatriots who supported me, a humble servant, in this campaign, as well as to all human rights organizations. I also extend my special thanks to the leadership of dear Sister Maryam Rajavi, who mobilized all the organization’s resources to take a stance against the regime.
I am profoundly grateful to all my sisters and brothers in Ashraf 3 who made their utmost efforts regarding my case. As Jesus Christ (PBUH) said, one should fear the one who can take your soul and spirit, not the one who can only torture your body and nothing more.
Today, with all my existence, I will stand tall and defend my beloved organization, just as I explicitly declared my support during the interrogation in the regime’s sham court, and I tore up their repentance letter and handed it back to them.
Whether I remain or not, let everyone know that my true pillar of support and my real family is the leadership and the members of the proud People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran.
May God be with you, Mehdi Hassani
Letter from Mehdi Hassani – April 2025
In the name of God.
With greetings to the wise leadership and to all Ashrafis and supporters of Ashraf across the world, I extend my congratulations for the New Year, 1404 (March 20, 2025)—the year of crushing the anti-human, reactionary regime by the hands of the Iranian people’s resistance and the heroic Resistance Units across the country.
Today, caught in the web of domestic and foreign crises, the regime is in the weakest phase of its disgraceful existence. The situation in society has reached its maximum explosive state. Today we witness, and state-run media acknowledge, that millions of people are living in absolute poverty, to the point that they go to bed hungry at night, and parents are ashamed before their children because they cannot provide even the bare minimum necessities for their families.
In this sensitive historical juncture, the responsibility placed upon the shoulders of all freedom fighters of the national Resistance front, both inside and outside the country, is a decisive and clear demarcation with the two dictatorships of the Shah and mullahs. Khamenei, his regional arms, and his export of terrorism in the world have come under severe blows and he is in his weakest position.
Under these circumstances, with the leadership and guidance of Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance, I make a firm and unwavering commitment to spare no effort until the complete overthrow of the evil clerical regime. Ultimately, I pray to God to assist me on this path.
Mehdi Hassani – April 2025
Letter from Mehdi Hassani – July 13, 2025
With greetings and salutations to the selfless leadership of dear Sister Maryam Rajavi and dear Brother Massoud Rajavi.
I, Mehdi Hassani, renew my commitment to the ideals of the Resistance. I will redouble my efforts in this new year, which is the year of overthrow and the fruition of all the hardships and braveries of my sisters and brothers in Ashraf, all the supporters of Ashraf, and all the Resistance Units. I pledge once again that until the last drop of blood, I will not retreat a single iota from my ideal.
No bowing down.
Present, present, present!
The path of Hussein (PBUH), the Master of Martyrs of the universe, and the path of the Mojahedin is the only way to achieve equality and freedom.
July 13, 2025