Iranian city; capital of Karaj County, Alborz Province
Iran has executed multiple men convicted over killings during January’s nationwide protests, including two public hangings in Isfahan’s Alikhani (Malekshahr) Square on 28 July. Videos and witnesses have shown residents chanting and trying to block the executions before security forces dispersed the crowd. Rights groups report a wider surge in executions and hunger strikes at Ghezel Hesar prison.
Iran is enforcing new espionage-era penalties. A journalist, Moaiery, has been sentenced to 15 years for interviews with hostile networks and distributing photos to entities linked to the US and Israel. Rights groups say case documents are withheld to silence dissent; the judiciary argues the law targets espionage amid ongoing tensions with foreign powers.
Satellite imagery has shown Iran expanding underground facilities at multiple bases, including Garmdareh in Karaj and Shahroud, with possible connections to missile production. Analysts say Iran is moving infrastructure underground to defend against strikes, while officials insist stockpiles remain large.