In 2025, Iran is seeing a dramatic increase in executions. By December, reports suggest that at least 1,500 people were executed, a rise from about 975 in 2024, according to the Norwegian-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) group. Official figures from the government are often vague, making it hard to know the exact numbers.
The Iranian government defends its use of the death penalty, claiming it’s reserved for the “most severe crimes.” However, most executions aren’t for high-profile offenses; about 99% are for murder or drug-related crimes. This trend hasn’t shifted much over the years.
The rise in executions is alarming and may be linked to the anti-government protests that swept across Iran in 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman. She was detained for not following hijab rules and her death ignited widespread outrage. Following these protests, the government intensified its use of the death penalty, increasing executions from approximately 520 in 2022 to 832 in 2023.
Activists argue that the regime escalates executions when it feels threatened. This increase in capital punishment may be a way to control dissent and instill fear among the people.
A recent surge in executions has also coincided with internal and external pressures on the regime, including tensions from the Israel conflict and setbacks for Iranian proxy forces regionally. As a result, many believe the government is using harsher measures to solidify its hold on power.
According to human rights experts, this cycle of violence may only worsen if the government continues to respond to dissent with force rather than addressing the underlying issues driving public unrest. As one expert noted, “Fear may silence voices temporarily, but it often breeds more resistance in the long run.”
For more insights into human rights in Iran, you can visit trusted sources like BBC and Human Rights Watch.
