Iran executes three men for 'armed unrest' after January protests

Iran has executed three men accused of carrying out armed unrest during January's anti-government protests, according to state media.



The three were accused of throwing Molotov cocktails and grenades, using bladed weapons and firearms, and setting fire to public facilities in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran, Iran's state news agency Tasnim reported.



The executions are the latest in a series linked to the protests, including those of people accused of having ties to Israel and the United States.



The number of executions in Iran has increased since US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic began in late February.



The protest movement initially sparked in December last year by the high cost of living rapidly evolved into widespread anti-government demonstrations that peaked on 8 and 9 of January.



Iranian authorities reported more than 3,000 deaths, and blamed the violence on "terrorist acts" orchestrated by the US and Israel.