Executions in Iran have more than doubled in 2025 compared to 2024, with over 1,500 executions reported by Iran Human Rights. Learn more.
Iran, executions, death penalty, 2025, human rights, Mahsa Amini, news, BBC, IHR, protests

Executions in Iran More Than Double in 2025

The number of executions in Iran in 2025 has surged, more than doubling the total recorded in 2024. This alarming trend highlights increasing use of the death penalty despite ongoing international concerns about human rights violations within the country.

Sharp Rise in Execution Numbers

According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) group, at least 1,500 executions were verified across Iran up until early December 2025. IHR also reports that more executions are likely to have occurred, as Iranian authorities do not provide official execution figures.

Comparison to Previous Years

• In 2024, IHR was able to verify 975 executions.
• The estimated number of 1,500 executions in 2025 marks a significant annual increase.
• Other monitoring organizations have reported similar trends.

Government’s Stance on Capital Punishment

Iran’s government continues to defend its use of the death penalty, insisting it is applied only for “the most severe crimes.” However, rights activists argue that actual enforcement goes far beyond this claim, often being used as a tool for political control.

Context: Protests and Increased Repression

The steep rise in executions in Iran began even before the widespread protests in 2022 that followed the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman detained by the morality police over alleged improper hijab use. Her death sparked the largest wave of unrest to challenge the government in years.

Following the protests, the authorities responded with intensified repression, raising the annual execution rate from around 520 in 2022 to 832 in 2023, and now over 1,500 in 2025 as per IHR’s verified figures.

Executions as a Tool for Suppression

• While some executions targeted protesters or alleged spies, 99% were for murder or drug offenses—a consistent ratio in recent years.
• Activists claim the regime increases executions during times of political unrest to instill fear and suppress dissent.

Impact of Regional Conflicts

Following recent regional tensions, including the 12-day war with Israel in June 2025 and setbacks for Iran’s proxies across the region, another surge in executions has been observed. Analysts believe these actions are designed to reinforce government control during unstable periods.

International Reaction and Further Reading

The international community continues to condemn Iran’s high execution rate. For an in-depth look at the rise of executions and human rights issues in Iran, refer to Amnesty International’s report on Iran’s death penalty escalation and our article on human rights in Iran.

Conclusion

The dramatic increase in executions in Iran in 2025 is a worrying development, reflecting broader issues of governance, human rights abuses, and internal turmoil. Continued monitoring and international pressure are essential to address this escalating crisis.

Source: BBC News