In late 2025, Iran has witnessed a dramatic and alarming escalation in executions, prompting widespread condemnation from human rights advocates and political opposition groups. According to a recent statement issued by Iranian opposition sources, November 2025 marked the bloodiest month in the past 37 years, with 335 executions, including seven women and two public hangings described as carried out with extreme cruelty. These figures—represent a severe and unprecedented intensification of capital punishment in the country.
The statement highlights that the execution rate in November dramatically surpassed previous years: more than double the number recorded in 2024, three times that of 2023, six times that of 2022, and eleven times the executions reported in 2021. Opposition groups argue that this surge reflects a calculated strategy by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the ruling establishment to suppress social dissent through fear and intimidation. They contend that while the regime seeks to prevent potential uprisings, its widespread use of capital punishment will only deepen public anger and resistance.
The pattern extended into December with disturbing speed. Based on reports received by midday on December 3, at least 44 executions were confirmed within the first three days of the month—an average of one execution every 90 minutes. The identities of many victims have been released, reflecting a nationwide scope across provinces such as Semnan, Qom, Mashhad, Yazd, Isfahan, and Bandar Abbas.
Among the 13 individuals reported executed on December 3 were: Keyvan Shah Bakhsh (29) in Bam; Iman Mortazaei (39) and Abufeiz Davoudi in Semnan; Hessam Norouzi and an unnamed woman in Mashhad; Amir Emami and two others in Qezelhesar; an unnamed prisoner in Kangan; Ali Kalhor in Gorgan; Mehdi Javanmardi (38) in Rasht; Pirvali Sha’bani in Sabzevar; and Yousef Jamshidi (Mehrabi, 22) in Bandar Abbas.
On December 2, a total of 20 prisoners were reportedly executed, including one public hanging in Semnan. The list includes Mohammad Jafar Alinia in Behbahan; Ebrahim Kalagar in Nowshahr; Abbas Mozaffarzadeh (27) in Qom; Soltan Morad Nasiri in Esfarayen; several prisoners in Yazd, Semnan, and Isfahan; and others identified across multiple provinces.
On December 1, 11 additional executions were reported, involving individuals such as Seyed Ali Hajipour in Taybad; Javad Souri in Shahrekord; Tayyeb Minayi in Ahvaz; Nourkhoda Akrami in Qom; and others in Tabriz, Bandar Abbas, Dorud, Borujerd, and Mahabad.
The statement further notes executions on November 30, including Yashar Sadeghi in Bukan; Mansour Jalali in Kerman; and Parviz Rigi (30) in Zahedan, the latter two identified as belonging to Iran’s Baluch minority.
Opposition groups and human rights defenders assert that this “wave of bloodshed” reflects a broader crisis of governance and legitimacy. They call on the international community to strongly condemn the surge in executions, intensify diplomatic pressure, and work toward holding Iran’s leaders accountable for what they describe as crimes against humanity and decades-long systematic repression.
The reported scale of executions has raised serious global concern, underscoring the urgent need for transparent monitoring and stronger international engagement regarding Iran’s human rights situation.