A Disturbing Trend: Iran's Executions Skyrocket in 2025
By Sebastian Usher
Middle East Analyst
The Middle East is a region often in the news for its political turmoil and human rights concerns. One of the most alarming trends in recent years has been the rise in executions in Iran. According to a report by the Norwegian-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) group, the number of executions in Iran in 2025 is set to more than double compared to the amount which took place across the country in 2024.
The IHR group told the BBC that they had verified at least 1,500 executions up until the start of December, and many more have taken place since. Last year, they were able to verify 975 executions, although the exact number is never completely clear as Iranian authorities do not give official figures.
The analysis shows another significant annual rise, and the figures chime with those provided by other monitoring groups. Iran's government has previously defended its use of the death penalty, saying it is limited to only 'the most severe crimes'.
Execution figures were already on the rise before mass demonstrations broke out across the country in 2022 following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini. The 22-year-old Kurdish woman was detained by morality police in Tehran for allegedly wearing her hijab 'improperly'.
That protest movement represented the biggest challenge to the legitimacy of Iran's theocratic leadership for many years. In response, authorities intensified the rate of executions from around 520 in 2022 to 832 the following year, according to the figures verified by IHR.
There have been some executions for protesters or alleged spies, but 99% of those executed have been for murder or drug offences - a ratio which has remained constant. Activists have said that the rate of executions in Iran increases when the regime feels under threat and that the aim is to forestall internal opposition by instilling fear in the population.
It seems to be borne out by the fact that since the 12-day war with Israel in June, as well as major setbacks for Iran's proxy forces across the region, there's been another big surge. This trend is deeply concerning and highlights the urgent need for international attention and action to address the human rights situation in Iran.
