Iran carried out highest number of executions in decades
Organisations warn many more people could be executed in the wake of the anti-government protests which swept Iran earlier this year.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"The question of abolishing the death penalty had to be 'at the heart' of any talks between the US and Iran on ending their war."
— Raphaël Chenuil-Hazan , Executive
"There was 'no mention of the Iranian people's rights' at the negotiations over the weekend."
— Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam , Activist
"The ongoing escalation of executions in Iran has reached horrific proportions as the Iranian authorities continue to systematically weaponize the death penalty as a tool of repression and to quash dissent while displaying a chilling assault on the right to life."
— Heba Morayef , Activist
"Be strong, put the death penalty in all the deals."
— Raphael Chenuil-Hazan , Executive
"A moratorium on use of the death penalty and the release of all political prisoners must be 'demand number one' in talks."
— Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam , Activist
"The surge appears aimed at 'instilling fear and deterring dissent.'"
— Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam , Activist
"The death penalty is used as a political tool, disproportionately targeting Kurdish and Baluch minorities."
— Raphael Chenuil-Hazan , Executive
Key People
A protester at imminent risk of execution.
He was executed for his association with a banned opposition group.
Executed member associated with the MKO.
A protester detained during anti-government protests in Iran.
An 18-year-old executed for alleged involvement in protests.
Executed activist connected to the MKO.
Head of the Iranian Judiciary.
Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.
A dual Iranian-Swedish citizen executed for alleged espionage.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam is the director of Iran Human Rights, an organization documenting human rights violations in Iran.
A protester executed for political and security charges.
An Iranian arrested during recent protests.
Executed political prisoner linked to the MKO.
Executed political prisoner associated with the MKO.
Executive director of Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM).
Executive director of Together Against the Death Penalty (EPCM).
A 21-year-old protester executed during the crackdown.
A 19-year-old wrestler executed for political charges.
One of the two men executed for their involvement in January protests in Iran.
He was executed for his association with a banned opposition group.
Tags
All Coverage
Organisations warn many more people could be executed in the wake of the anti-government protests which swept Iran earlier this year.
Amid the conflict with Israel and the United States, Iran has intensified executions of political prisoners, with at least five executions in three days and fourteen since the start of the war, according to human rights organizations.
Amnesty International reports that Iranian authorities executed over 1,000 people in 2025, marking the highest number in at least 15 years, and calls for an immediate moratorium on executions.
Two NGOs report that Iranian authorities executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, the highest number since 1989, and warn of potential further use of capital punishment amid ongoing unrest.
A report by Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty reveals that Iran executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, the highest annual figure since 1989, with concerns over potential future executions.
Iran executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, averaging more than four executions per day, marking the highest number since 1989, according to a report by Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty.
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