Executions in Iran more than double in 2025, IHR report says

The number of executions in Iran in 2025 is expected to more than double that which took place across the country in 2024.

Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) told the BBC it had verified at least 1,500 executions through the beginning of December, adding that many more had taken place since then.

Last year, IHR was able to verify 975 executions – although the exact number is never entirely clear because Iranian authorities do not give official figures.

However, the analysis shows another significant annual increase, and the numbers are consistent with those provided by other tracking groups.

The Iranian government has previously defended its use of the death penalty, saying it is limited to the “most serious crimes.”

The number of executions was already on the rise before mass protests erupted across the country in 2022 following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.

The 22-year-old Kurdish woman was arrested by the moral police in Tehran for allegedly wearing her hijab “incorrectly”.

This protest movement represented the greatest challenge to the legitimacy of Iran’s theocratic leaders in many years.

In response, authorities ramped up the rate of executions, from around 520 in 2022 to 832 the following year, according to figures verified by IHR.

There were a few executions of protesters or suspected spies – but 99% of those executed were for murder or drug offenses – a ratio that remained constant.

Activists have said the rate of executions in Iran increases when the regime feels threatened and the aim is to prevent internal opposition by sowing fear among the population.

This seems to be confirmed by the fact that since the 12 day war With Israel in June, as well as major setbacks for Iran’s proxy forces in the region, there was another strong surge.