A sharp rise in executions in Iran during 2025 has drawn global concern, with human rights monitors reporting the highest levels of capital punishment in decades. According to a joint report by Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM), executions surged to their highest level since 1989, averaging four to five per day.
The report said authorities used the death penalty as a tool to instil fear and suppress dissent, particularly following waves of anti-government protests. Rights groups noted that ethnic minorities and marginalised communities were disproportionately affected.
Experts warned that the escalating use of executions reflects a broader strategy of political control, with concerns that the trend could intensify amid ongoing instability. Monitors cautioned that if current conditions persist, executions may continue to rise as part of efforts to deter further unrest.
