PARIS — Iran executed at least 1,500 people in 2025, according to figures released by Iran Human Rights (IHR), underscoring a dramatic escalation in the use of the death penalty since nationwide protests erupted in late 2022.
The figure represents the highest number of executions recorded in more than three decades, with IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam warning that the trend reflects an increasingly punitive response by Iranian authorities.
More than 700 of those executed were reportedly convicted on drug-related charges, a category frequently criticised by rights groups for its broad application and lack of judicial transparency.
IHR data shows a steady upward trajectory since 2022, when executions exceeded 500. The number rose to over 800 in 2023, climbed to 975 in 2024, and surged to at least 1,500 in 2025.
The sharp increase coincided with the aftermath of protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, whose case became a symbol of public anger over state repression and social restrictions.
Amiry-Moghaddam said the authorities’ reliance on executions was intended to instil fear and deter renewed protests. However, he noted that recent demonstrations sparked by economic grievances suggest the strategy has not fully achieved its objective.
While the latest protests remain smaller in scale than those seen in 2022, analysts say the persistence of unrest highlights underlying social and economic tensions that punitive measures alone cannot resolve.