Iran Executed at Least 1,639 People in 2025, Highest Since 1989
Two NGOs reported that Iran executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, marking the highest number since 1989. This represents a 68% increase from 975 executions in 2024, including 48 women. The organizations warned of an increased risk of Iran using the death penalty as a tool of oppression following mass protests and conflicts with Israel and the US. Nearly half of the executions were for drug-related offenses, and hundreds of protesters still face death sentences.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 14:48
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PARIS (Central News Agency) – Two non-governmental organizations announced today that Iranian authorities executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, the highest number since 1989. The organizations also warned of the risk of Tehran expanding its use of the death penalty after mass protests in January and subsequent conflicts with Israel and the United States.
According to Agence France-Presse, the Norwegian NGO "Iran Human Rights" (IHR) and the French "Together Against the Death Penalty" (ECPM) stated in their joint annual report that the 1,639 executions in Iran in 2025 represent a 68% increase compared to 975 in 2024, including 48 women who were hanged.
The report noted that if Iran "survives the current crisis, it is highly likely to more widely use the death penalty as a means of oppression and suppression in the future."
As the vast majority of executions in Iran are not reported by official media, IHR requires each execution case to be confirmed by two sources. The 2025 data represents the "absolute minimum" number of hangings for that year.
Nevertheless, this figure translates to an average of more than 4 people executed per day in 2025.
The report stated that this is the highest annual figure IHR has tracked since 2008, and the most in a single year since the early days of the Islamic Revolution in 1989.
IHR and ECPM warned that hundreds of protesters still face death sentences and execution threats after being accused of capital offenses during protests in January 2026. The crackdown on these protests, according to human rights groups, resulted in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of IHR, said: "In 2025, the authorities carried out an average of 4 to 5 executions per day to create fear, prevent new protests, and prolong their shaky rule."
The report pointed out that nearly half of those executed were sentenced for drug-related crimes.
NGOs noted 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 often suffered long-term domestic violence. (Compiled by Tsai Chia-min) 1150413
According to Agence France-Presse, the Norwegian NGO "Iran Human Rights" (IHR) and the French "Together Against the Death Penalty" (ECPM) stated in their joint annual report that the 1,639 executions in Iran in 2025 represent a 68% increase compared to 975 in 2024, including 48 women who were hanged.
The report noted that if Iran "survives the current crisis, it is highly likely to more widely use the death penalty as a means of oppression and suppression in the future."
As the vast majority of executions in Iran are not reported by official media, IHR requires each execution case to be confirmed by two sources. The 2025 data represents the "absolute minimum" number of hangings for that year.
Nevertheless, this figure translates to an average of more than 4 people executed per day in 2025.
The report stated that this is the highest annual figure IHR has tracked since 2008, and the most in a single year since the early days of the Islamic Revolution in 1989.
IHR and ECPM warned that hundreds of protesters still face death sentences and execution threats after being accused of capital offenses during protests in January 2026. The crackdown on these protests, according to human rights groups, resulted in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of IHR, said: "In 2025, the authorities carried out an average of 4 to 5 executions per day to create fear, prevent new protests, and prolong their shaky rule."
The report pointed out that nearly half of those executed were sentenced for drug-related crimes.
NGOs noted 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 often suffered long-term domestic violence. (Compiled by Tsai Chia-min) 1150413