Iran executed at least 1639 people in 2025, highest since 1989
Two NGOs reported that Iranian authorities executed at least 1639 people in 2025, the highest annual number since 1989. This indicates a risk of expanding the use of the death penalty following domestic protests and international conflicts.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 14:48
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Focus on US-Iran War News
Central News Agency
(Paris, CNA comprehensive foreign report, 13th) Two non-governmental organizations announced today that Iranian authorities executed at least 1639 people during 2025, marking a new high since 1989. The organizations also warned that after large-scale protests erupted in Iran in January and subsequent conflicts with Israel and the United States, there is a risk that Tehran authorities will expand the use of the death penalty.
Agence France-Presse reported that the Norwegian non-governmental organization "Iran Human Rights (IHR)" and the French "Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM)" stated in their joint annual report that the 1639 executions in Iran in 2025 represent a 68% increase from 975 people in 2024, including 48 women who were hanged.
The report points out that if Iran "survives the current crisis, it is highly likely that the death penalty will be more widely used as a tool of oppression and repression in the future."
Despite the vast majority of executions in Iran not being reported by official media, IHR requires confirmation from two sources for each execution case. The data derived for 2025 represents the "absolute minimum" number of hangings for that year.
Nevertheless, this number translates to an average of more than 4 people being executed per day in 2025.
The report states that this is the highest annual figure since IHR began tracking in 2008, and also the highest year since the early days of the Islamic Revolution, specifically since 1989.
IHR and ECPM warned that hundreds of protesters still face threats of death sentences and executions after being charged with capital offenses during protests in January 2026. This suppression of protests, according to human rights groups, resulted in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, Director of IHR, stated: "In 2025, authorities carried out an average of 4 to 5 executions per day to create fear, prevent new protests, and perpetuate their crumbling rule."
The report noted that nearly half of those executed were sentenced for drug-related offenses.
Non-governmental organizations pointed out that at least 48 women were executed, the highest record in over 20 years, a 55% increase from 31 in 2024.
Among them, 21 women were executed for killing their husbands or fiancés. Human rights groups indicate that women executed for murdering spouses or relatives have often suffered long-term domestic violence. (Translated by Tsai Chia-min) 1150413
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Central News Agency
(Paris, CNA comprehensive foreign report, 13th) Two non-governmental organizations announced today that Iranian authorities executed at least 1639 people during 2025, marking a new high since 1989. The organizations also warned that after large-scale protests erupted in Iran in January and subsequent conflicts with Israel and the United States, there is a risk that Tehran authorities will expand the use of the death penalty.
Agence France-Presse reported that the Norwegian non-governmental organization "Iran Human Rights (IHR)" and the French "Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM)" stated in their joint annual report that the 1639 executions in Iran in 2025 represent a 68% increase from 975 people in 2024, including 48 women who were hanged.
The report points out that if Iran "survives the current crisis, it is highly likely that the death penalty will be more widely used as a tool of oppression and repression in the future."
Despite the vast majority of executions in Iran not being reported by official media, IHR requires confirmation from two sources for each execution case. The data derived for 2025 represents the "absolute minimum" number of hangings for that year.
Nevertheless, this number translates to an average of more than 4 people being executed per day in 2025.
The report states that this is the highest annual figure since IHR began tracking in 2008, and also the highest year since the early days of the Islamic Revolution, specifically since 1989.
IHR and ECPM warned that hundreds of protesters still face threats of death sentences and executions after being charged with capital offenses during protests in January 2026. This suppression of protests, according to human rights groups, resulted in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, Director of IHR, stated: "In 2025, authorities carried out an average of 4 to 5 executions per day to create fear, prevent new protests, and perpetuate their crumbling rule."
The report noted that nearly half of those executed were sentenced for drug-related offenses.
Non-governmental organizations pointed out that at least 48 women were executed, the highest record in over 20 years, a 55% increase from 31 in 2024.
Among them, 21 women were executed for killing their husbands or fiancés. Human rights groups indicate that women executed for murdering spouses or relatives have often suffered long-term domestic violence. (Translated by Tsai Chia-min) 1150413
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.