Iran Executed at Least 1,639 People in 2025 as Rights Groups Warn of Escalating Crackdown

Iran carried out at least 1,639 executions in 2025, according to a joint report by Norway-based Iran Human Rights and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty, which warned that the death penalty could intensify further following the war involving the United States and Israel.

The report said the figure represents a 68 percent increase from 975 executions in 2024 and includes 48 women, making 2025 the highest year for executions recorded since monitoring began in 2008.

It also stated that this is the highest level since 1989 in the early post-revolution period.

“If the Islamic republic survives the current crisis, there is a serious risk that executions will be used even more extensively as a tool of oppression and repression,” the NGOs warned.

The organizations said their figures represent a conservative minimum, as many executions are not publicly reported in Iran.

They urged Western powers to prioritise abolition of the death penalty in diplomatic engagement with Tehran.

“Be strong, put the death penalty in all the deals,” said Raphael Chenuil-Hazan, stressing that the issue must be central to negotiations.

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam criticised recent talks in Islamabad, saying human rights were not included in discussions.

“There was no mention of the Iranian people’s rights in any of those negotiations,” he said, calling instead for a moratorium on executions and the release of political prisoners to be the top priority.

The report further warned that hundreds of detainees linked to January 2026 protests remain at risk of execution, with several already sentenced or executed.

It detailed cases including seven people linked to protests, six members of the banned MEK group, and a dual Iranian-Swedish citizen accused of spying for Israel.

At least 26 more protest-related death sentences have been issued, with hundreds more facing similar charges.

Women were also heavily affected, with at least 48 executions recorded in 2025—the highest in over two decades.

Almost half of all executions were drug-related, while public hangings increased to 11 cases.

Rights groups say Iran remains the world’s most prolific executioner per capita, second only to China in total numbers, though China’s figures remain unverified.

Researchers also said more than 500 suspected executions could not be confirmed due to internet blackouts during unrest and war.

Chenuil-Hazan said the scale of executions raises the possibility that Iran has now “perhaps” overtaken China as the world’s leading executioner.

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