Iran Execution Surge 2025: Verified Cases Exceed 1,500 as Crackdown Intensifies

The gallows are busier than ever in Tehran. A chilling report from the Iran Human Rights (IHR) group reveals that executions in Iran during 2025 are on track to more than double last year's figures. Up until the beginning of December, at least 1,500 executions have been verified, with the actual number likely much higher as official state data remains opaque.

The Rising Toll: Iran Execution Surge 2025

In 2024, IHR documented 975 executions. The leap to over 1,500 this year highlights a significant annual rise that matches warnings from other global monitors. While Tehran defends these actions as measures against "the most severe crimes," activists argue they're a tool for political survival.

Statistically, 99% of those executed were convicted of murder or drug offenses. However, the timing of these surges—often following periods of domestic unrest or regional military setbacks—suggests a strategy of instilling fear to prevent internal opposition. The rate spiked again following the 12-day war with Israel in June 2025.

Global Condemnation and Domestic Context

UN experts have condemned the "staggering scale" of the killings. The trend began intensifying after the 2022 protests following Mahsa Amini's death, which challenged the regime's legitimacy. By increasing executions from 520 in 2022 to over 1,500 today, the theocratic leadership seems determined to forestall dissent through sheer intimidation.