Iran’s execution rate is set to double in 2025

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Iran’s execution rate is set to double in 2025

The death penalty system in Iran has become more severe according to human rights organizations Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), and Amnesty International because they predict executions will double from 972 to 1944 in 2025. 

The death penalty system in Iran shows increasing brutality because human rights groups Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), and Amnesty International predict the country will execute double the number of people in 2025 compared to the 972 executions that occurred in 2024.

The combination of political suppression, drug-related crimes, and post-war violence following Israel’s June attacks resulted in the execution of at least 1,000 people by late September 2025 which marked the highest annual execution rate since the past three decades.

The state’s deliberate intimidation methods have driven this growth. These tactics focus on suppressing dissenters and minority groups while the international community continues to demand a worldwide ban on these practices

From revolution to a repression tool

The death penalty existed in Iran before the Islamic Revolution of 1979 but Ayatollah Khomeini established it as a fundamental tool for judicial terror during his theocratic rule. The Pahlavi monarchy focused on rehabilitating regular offenders, yet they executed between 100 and 200 political dissidents annually, who mostly supported leftist or Islamist causes.

The revolution brought about mass executions through Khomeini’s 1988 purge, which led to the extrajudicial killing of up to 5,000 political prisoners. They mainly supported the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK). The United Nations experts determined the act qualified as a crime against humanity.

The execution rate stayed between 300 and 500 per year throughout the 1990s and 2000s after 1988. The highest number of executions happened during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidency from 2005 to 2013 when more than 700 people faced capital punishment in 2010 for drug offenses, apostasy, and moharebeh (enmity against God). 

After a brief decline to 250–400 under reformist Hassan Rouhani (2013–2021), Ebrahim Raisi’s hardline presidency (2021–2024) reversed this, reaching 582 in 2022 amid Woman, Life, Freedom protests spurred by Mahsa Amini’s passing

Public hangings were once again used to incite fear during the coup-like crackdown on protests in 2021. The penal code of Iran establishes the death penalty for 21 offenses, which include drug trafficking involving over 5 kilograms of opium, same-sex relationships, and vague charges of “corruption on earth” that often target protesters. The Iranian penal code allows executions through hanging at Evin and Vakilabad prisons, but only 4% of executions get official confirmation. The rest 96% remain completely hidden from public view.

2025 surge: Facts and figures

The International Human Rights NGO documented 343 executions from January through April 2025, which represents a 75% rise above the 195 executions recorded during the same period in 2024. The total number of executions for the entire year reached its peak at 110, which took place during the month of April. 

The UN recorded 841 cases by August 28, which represents more than double the number from July 2024. Amnesty reported over 1,000 cases by September, which surpasses the total number recorded throughout 2024. By December, estimates point to 1,800–2,000, driven by:

  • Drug Offenses (50%): Nearly half (e.g., 69/110 in April) target traffickers, violating the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights’ “most serious crimes” limit. Baluch Sunnis, 2-6% of the population, comprised 32% of April’s executions (35/110).
  • Political Dissidents (17-20%): Post-June Israel-Iran war, “armed rebellion” charges hit MEK members and 2022 protesters; 11 faced imminent death by August.
  • Minorities Overrepresented: Baluch (35 in April), Kurds, and Afghans dominate lists, often via forced confessions.

In just the first 25 days of May, Human Rights Watch recorded 113 executions, or three per day on average. On September 29, UN experts denounced the “staggering scale” and called for action.

Iran carried out the execution of 5,000 people during 1988 mainly to eliminate political opponents and supporters of the Mojahedin-e-Khalq. The number dropped sharply during the following decades, while drug-related and political executions peaked at 709 under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2010.

582 people had been executed by 2022, mostly as a result of suppression of the Woman, Life, Freedom demonstrations that followed Mahsa Amini’s passing. With a significant emphasis on drug offenses and minority groups, the number increased to 972 in 2024. Over 1,800 executions are predicted for 2025, driven by increased repression and post-war national security accusations.

Drivers of the 2025 doubling

Similar to the spikes in protests following 2022, the Israel strikes in June 2025 escalated “national security” executions. Gallows are used as a deterrent when the regime is fragile due to economic collapse (inflation >40%), protests, and proxy losses. 

Paranoia is increased by Raisi’s death in 2024 and Khamenei’s uncertain succession. Iran is protected from UN pressure by Chinese and Russian support, and domestic repression is indirectly strengthened by Western sanctions.

International response and humanitarian toll

In May, more than 365 experts—including Nobel laureates—called for UN intervention; Volker Türk emphasized hospital attacks and aid blockades. Families suffer trauma: Mutilated bodies are returned, and public hangings attract large crowds. Though rare, stoning threats are made against women.

According to Amnesty International, Iran is ranked second in the world after China, but it leads per capita. Without geopolitical changes, a moratorium appears far off, continuing the cycle in which the theocracy’s hold is maintained through executions.