Iran has more than doubled the number of state executions in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, drawing widespread condemnation from international human rights groups and the United Nations. According to the UN Human Rights Office, at least 612 people have been executed so far this year, up from 297 in the first six months of last year.
This sharp escalation in executions follows the rise to power of Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian in July 2024. Under his administration, Iran executed a total of 975 people in 2024—the highest number recorded in the country since 2015. The UN now warns that 2025 may surpass even that grim milestone.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed deep concern over the increase, particularly the disproportionate number of executions targeting minority groups and political dissidents. “It is alarming to see reports that indicate there are at least 48 people currently on death row—12 of whom are believed to be at imminent risk of execution,” Türk said.
The latest executions include political prisoners Behrouz Ehsani, 70, and Mehdi Hassani, 48, who were killed on July 27. Both were accused of being affiliated with the opposition group (PMOI), and their executions have been widely condemned as politically motivated. Amnesty International described their deaths as arbitrary and illegal, citing grossly unfair trials and evidence obtained through torture.
Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), paid tribute to the executed men and denounced Iran’s ruling regime on social media. She quoted Ehsani’s final words: “We will never—under any circumstances—surrender to this bloodthirsty and criminal regime.”
The UN reported that over 40% of those executed this year were convicted of drug-related offenses. However, many others have faced vaguely defined charges such as “enmity against God” and “corruption on earth”—accusations often used by the Iranian government to silence political dissent. In many cases, trials have been held behind closed doors without proper legal representation or due process.
“This deliberate denial of fair trial guarantees and use of the death penalty as a tool of intimidation and control is a clear violation of international human rights law,” Türk said. “The right to life must be respected under all circumstances.”
Even more troubling are new legislative developments in Tehran. The Iranian government is currently reviewing a bill that would broaden the scope of capital punishment for alleged espionage. If passed, the bill would allow the death penalty for acts such as communicating online or speaking with foreign media—labeling such actions as signs of ideological betrayal or collaboration with hostile states.
Türk warned the bill “dangerously broadens the scope of capital punishment” and urged the Iranian government to abandon it. “The death penalty is incompatible with the right to life and irreconcilable with human dignity,” he said. “Rather than accelerating executions, Iran must join the global movement to abolish capital punishment—beginning with an immediate moratorium.”