Javad Ghafran Taleb and 2 Unidentified Men Hanged for Drug Offences in Mashhad

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, three men were hanged in Mashhad (Vakil Abad) Central Prison on 21 April 2026. One of the men has been identified as Javad Ghafran Taleb (Shahuzehi), a 24-year-old Baluch father of three from Zahedan. The other two men’s identities have not been established at the time of writing.

Javad was arrested in Mashhad six years ago and sentenced to death on drug-related charges. The two unidentified men were also on death row for drug-related offences.

According to Haal Vsh which first reported the news, Javad’s execution was carried out without prior notice and a final family visit.

At the time of writing, their executions have not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

Drug-related executions have continuously risen every year since 2021. According to IHRNGO’s 2025 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 795 people were executed for drug-related charges, of which only 0.18% were announced by official sources. 13% of all drug-related executions in 2025 were Baluch minorities while they represent 2-6% of Iran’s population.