Iran Carried Out 40 Executions on National Security Grounds This Year — UN

The United Nations has accused Iranian authorities of executing at least 40 people on national security charges in 2026, including 18 protesters, amid growing concerns over human rights conditions in the country.

Addressing the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, UN rights chief Volker Turk said the executions formed part of a broader pattern of repression that has intensified since anti-government protests were violently suppressed earlier this year.

“Since the start of the year, the Iranian authorities have executed at least 40 people on national security grounds… including 18 protesters,” Turk said.

He described the situation facing ordinary Iranians as increasingly difficult.

“I feel deeply for the people in Iran, caught between war and cruel repression.”

According to human rights organisations, Iran carries out more executions than any country except China.

Turk said repression had worsened following the January crackdown on nationwide protests, while the country was also dealing with the consequences of the regional conflict that erupted after US and Israeli attacks in February.

The UN official welcomed the recently announced peace agreement between Washington and Tehran, urging all parties to uphold the deal.

“It is clear all sides need to exercise maximum restraint and work to implement the agreement reached, quickly and in good faith.”

He added that the conflict’s effects extended well beyond Iran’s borders.

“The conflict has had a devastating impact on human rights across the region and around the world.”

The protests, which began in late December over economic challenges, evolved into widespread demonstrations against the government.

Iranian authorities described the unrest as foreign-backed riots and said approximately 3,000 people were killed during the violence. However, rights groups have disputed the official account, alleging that security forces opened fire on protesters and that the death toll was significantly higher.

Turk argued that the crackdown has continued long after the protests subsided.

“Since killing thousands of people during the egregious crushing of protests in January, the authorities have intensified their brutal crackdown, arresting thousands and imposing even more severe restrictions on civic space.”

The UN’s latest comments add to ongoing international scrutiny of Iran’s human rights record and its handling of political dissent.

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