Iran executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, marking the highest number of executions since 1989, according to a joint report by the Norway-based organization Iran Human Rights.
The figure represents a staggering 68% increase from 2024, when 975 executions were recorded, underscoring what human rights groups describe as an accelerating campaign of state repression.
Researchers emphasized that the total is likely an “absolute minimum,” as many executions are not publicly disclosed by Iranian authorities. Based on verified cases, the country averaged more than four executions per day throughout the year.
The report highlighted that at least 48 women were among those executed—the highest number in more than two decades. Many of these cases reportedly involved women convicted of killing abusive spouses or relatives.
Human rights organizations warn that the death penalty is increasingly being used as a tool to instill fear and suppress dissent. This concern intensified following widespread protests in January 2026, which were met with a violent crackdown that reportedly left thousands dead and tens of thousands arrested.
“By creating fear through an average of four to five executions per day, authorities are attempting to prevent further unrest and maintain control,” said IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam.
The report also noted that hundreds of detained protesters remain at risk of execution, with several already put to death on charges tied to opposition groups or alleged espionage.
Ethnic and religious minorities appear to be disproportionately affected. Kurdish and Baluch populations, along with other marginalized groups, account for a significant portion of those executed. Nearly half of all executions were related to drug offenses.
Public executions also rose sharply, more than tripling in 2025, while the overwhelming majority of executions were carried out by hanging inside prisons.
Despite the intensifying repression, observers note a striking spiritual contrast within the nation. Iran is widely reported to have one of the fastest-growing Christian movements in the world, with many Iranians turning to faith in Jesus Christ amid disillusionment with the ruling regime.
At the same time, persecution of Christians has increased. Numerous reports indicate that many prisoners in Iran’s jails today are believers, detained for participating in house churches, evangelism, or possessing Christian materials.
The growth of the underground church—often meeting in secret despite severe risks—has drawn global attention, as faith continues to spread even under the threat of imprisonment or death.
Human rights advocates warn that unless conditions change, the use of executions as a mechanism of control may continue to escalate, further deepening Iran’s ongoing crisis both politically and spiritually.
