At least 1,639 people were executed in Iran in 2025, according to a joint report by Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Together Against the Death Penalty.
The groups described the figure as an “absolute minimum,” noting it marks a 68% increase from 2024 and the highest recorded since tracking began in 2008. The report also revealed that 48 women were among those executed, the highest number in over two decades.
The NGOs warned that if the Islamic Republic withstands its current tensions with the United States and Israel, executions could rise further as a tool of repression.
“Be strong, put the death penalty in all the deals,” said ECPM director Raphael Chenuil-Hazan, urging Western nations to prioritize abolition in negotiations.
IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam criticized ongoing diplomatic talks for ignoring the rights of Iranian citizens, insisting that ending executions and freeing political prisoners should be top demands.
The report also raised concerns that hundreds of detained protesters from the January 2026 unrest could face execution, with several already sentenced to death.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, continue to rank Iran among the world’s top executioners, with fears the actual figures may be even higher due to unverified cases and restricted information access.