White House condemns Iran executions

(AP) — The White House is condemning Iran for executing two men accused of involvement in an armed anti-government group.

White House deputy press secretary Bill Burton says the executions represent a new low in Iran's crackdown on peaceful dissent and will further isolate Tehran.

The executions mark an escalation in the Iranian government's crackdown on its opponents following last year's disputed presidential election.

The two men who were hanged on Thursday were arrested before the election and did not appear to be protests after the vote. But they were put before the same mass trial as opposition leaders and activists arrested amid the crackdown.