Since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, the United Nations has verified the execution of at least 32 political prisoners in Iran. This represents a significant increase in political executions compared to previous years, highlighting a growing use of the death penalty by Iranian authorities amid ongoing internal and external conflicts.
Key developments
Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, a Kurdish shop owner on death row in western Iran, recorded a voice message from Oromiyeh Central Prison before his execution earlier this month. He stated that his confession was forced through torture and threats, and that he was innocent of the charges against him. Mehrab was arrested in 2022 during nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died in police custody after being detained for improper veil-wearing. He was accused of involvement in the killing of a Basij militia member.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed concern that the death penalty is increasingly used to silence political dissent. Many of those executed were accused of spying for Israel or the CIA or of affiliations with exiled opposition groups. Fourteen of the executed prisoners were arrested in connection with the January uprising, which was suppressed with lethal force resulting in thousands of deaths.
Amnesty International reports that 45 executions on politically motivated charges occurred across 2025, marking a sharp year-on-year rise. Iranian authorities typically carry out executions by hanging at dawn, with near-daily announcements of executions becoming common. Some executions are publicly announced, while others may be conducted in secret.
Background
Iran carried out 2,159 executions in the previous year, the highest number since 1989, with most related to drug offenses or murder. The UN fears that the number of executions in 2026 could surpass that figure. The increased use of the death penalty is seen as an attempt by the Iranian regime to restore authority after its image was damaged by the January uprising and the ongoing war.
Kaveh Kermanshahi of the Kurdistan Human Rights Network stated that intensified repression and increased executions serve as a display of power to project control amid multiple crises.
Human rights concerns
Human rights organizations have highlighted disturbing patterns in the use of the death penalty, including disproportionate targeting of ethnic minorities. For example, Erfan Shakourzadeh, a 29-year-old aerospace engineering student, was executed after being convicted of sharing classified information with Israeli and US intelligence. He had reportedly been subjected to torture and forced to confess.
The Norway-based Hengaw human rights organization criticized the speed of trials, sentencing, and executions, as well as the lack of transparency in judicial proceedings. They stated that dissidents and critics are arbitrarily accused of espionage without credible evidence or fair trial guarantees, putting many lives at risk.
State-run Iranian media recently broadcast the execution of Sasan Azadvar, a 21-year-old karate champion convicted of “waging war against God” and collaborating with the enemy for attacking police during the January protests. He was not accused of any lethal offense, which under international law is the threshold for applying the death penalty.
Iranian judiciary officials have dismissed international criticism of death sentences linked to the January unrest, affirming that courts will not be influenced by external pressure.
Why this matters
The sharp rise in political executions in Iran reflects a broader strategy by the regime to suppress dissent and maintain control amid internal unrest and external conflict. The use of the death penalty as a tool of political repression raises serious human rights concerns, including allegations of torture, forced confessions, and unfair trials. The targeting of minorities and political activists undermines the rule of law and international human rights standards. Monitoring these developments is crucial for understanding the human rights situation in Iran and the impact of ongoing conflicts on civilian populations.
Recommended reading
For more context, see related Peack News coverage and explainers linked below.
