In a heinous act of state-sanctioned murder aimed at terrorizing a restive society, the Iranian regime executed political prisoners and members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, on July 27, 2025. This brutal act was intended to silence dissent and intimidate the growing movement of Iranian youth demanding freedom. However, the regime’s plan has dramatically backfired. Instead of fear, the executions have ignited a firestorm of defiance. On August 2, the seventh day of their martyrdom, PMOI Resistance Units across Iran launched a coordinated nationwide campaign, proving that the spirit of resistance cannot be extinguished by the gallows.
August 2—Iran
Resistance Units honor the memory of PMOI martyrs Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani on the seventh day of their execution by the criminal regime of the mullahs. pic.twitter.com/xaPBcWBSQS— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 3, 2025
A nationwide network of defiance: resistance units honor their martyrs
From Tehran to Urmia, Mashhad to Shiraz, Resistance Units blanketed the country with acts of courage and commemoration. In Tehran, a large projection of Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), lit up a building with the message: “The execution of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani will double the rage of the brave youth of Iran.”
In Urmia and Shahr-e Rey, the birthplaces of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani respectively, solemn flower-laying ceremonies were held to honor their sacrifice. In Shiraz, a member of a Resistance Unit declared, “We have come not in sorrow, but in pride. Standing tall, fists clenched, and eyes full of conviction. We have not come to weep—we have come to defend your path, your land, and your ideals against the mullah and monarch until our last breath and last drop of blood.”
Flower-laying in Shahr-e Rey, birthplace of Mehdi Hassani: "In memory of Mehdi, the hero and symbol of resistance." pic.twitter.com/ZfZYtFXemd
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 3, 2025
The defiance echoed in cities across Iran. In Islamshahr, slogans like, “By the blood of our comrades, we stand until the end. The only path to liberation is uprising and overthrow,” were broadcast in a public park. In Dezful, a Resistance Unit member vowed, “The executions of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani have made our resolve a hundredfold stronger. We lie in wait to ignite a fiery uprising and uproot the foundation of tyranny.” These acts, from releasing doves in Karaj to writing defiant graffiti in Ahvaz, demonstrate a resilient and organized network committed to overthrowing the regime.
The true “crime”: allegiance to a free Iran
Behrouz Ehsani, 69, and Mehdi Hassani, a 48-year-old father of three, were condemned by the regime for “baghi” (armed rebellion) and “moharebeh” (waging war against God). Their true crime, however, was their unwavering “membership in the Mojahedin (PMOI)” and their belief in a free Iran.
Their path to the gallows was a showcase of the regime’s corrupt judicial system. Both men were subjected to severe torture in the notorious Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Their death sentences were handed down by Judge Iman Afshari, infamous for his politically motivated verdicts. Amnesty International had condemned their trials as “extremely unfair,” citing the use of coerced confessions. Despite this, the regime’s Supreme Court dismissed multiple requests for judicial review. Despite facing a predetermined fate, Behrouz Ehsani’s spirit was unbroken. In a final, powerful message, he declared, “I will not bargain with anyone over my life and am ready to sacrifice my life for the cause of the liberation of the Iranian people.”
A regime drowning in fear and blood
These murders are not isolated events. They are part of a horrifying escalation of state violence under President Masoud Pezeshkian. Since he took office in July 2024, the regime has executed over 1,400 people, exposing the myth of “moderation.” This is a desperate and brutal campaign by Khamenei’s regime to crush dissent amid rising fear of a public uprising. By killing heroes like Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, the regime reveals its profound weakness and fear of its own people.
The defiant response from the Resistance Units makes one thing clear: these crimes will not bring the regime security. They will only fuel the flames of anger and strengthen the resolve for change. It is long past time for the international community to move beyond condemnation and take concrete, punitive actions to hold the criminal leaders of this regime accountable for their continuous crimes against humanity, and to recognize the Iranian people’s legitimate right to resist against the regime.