Iran has justified its increasing tally of executions, asserting that they are limited to only the “most serious offenses.” But the world alarm is spreading. Iran executed at least 975 individuals in 2024 alone—its most since 2015. The United Nations maintains that executions have accelerated even further in 2025.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei maintains that Iran abides by its national legislation and employs the death penalty as an effective measure. But human rights activists disagree. They state that the death penalty is being applied not for justice, but for political oppression.
Tehran Defends Use of Death Penalty
Iran maintains that its judicial system permits executions for life-threatening crimes alone. Last Monday, Baqaei boasted that the nation “seeks to confine the application” of the death penalty. But statistics lie otherwise. UN statistics indicate that at least 600 were put to death in the first half of 2025 alone. The majority were for narcotics-related offenses. Dozens were minorities, women, or political detainees.
Among them was Pakhshan Azizi, a Kurdish political activist, who was sentenced to death for reportedly propagating “corruption on Earth.” UN officials claim her only offense was to assist displaced individuals.
UN: “Deeply Disturbing” Trends
The United Nations has called for a moratorium on the death penalty. It asserts that Iran’s application of the death penalty is against international standards. UN experts pointed out that most executed people never had fair trials. They were tried using forced confessions and hidden evidence. At least 108 Baluch and 84 Kurds were executed in 2024, usually after short and unclear legal proceedings.
The UN describes this trend as “deeply disturbing” and admonished Iran that ongoing mass killings may constitute crimes against humanity.
Death Penalty as a Tool of State Control
Iran’s death penalty now extends beyond law enforcement. The death penalty has become political. As reported by former war crimes prosecutor Stephen Rapp, Tehran is following scripts from its 1988 political crackdowns. In 1988, thousands of prisoners were secretly killed.
Today, executions target anyone connected to protests, dissident groups, or civil rights movements. In late July 2025, Iran executed two members of the Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) group for alleged attacks on infrastructure. International watchdogs called the trials “unfair” and “pre-decided.” These killings send a warning to others: dissent will be punished with death. This isn’t about justice. It’s about fear.
Numbers Signal a Crisis
The number of executions is alarming. Iran has executed over 340 executions in the first four months of 2025 alone—a 75% rise compared to the same period last year. Most of these were drug-related offenses, which are not “most serious crimes” under international law.
Human rights organizations also indicate that Iran continues to ban access to UN enforcers. It conducts its trials behind closed doors. It extracts confessions by torture. Appeals are routinely denied. The judiciary, observers claim, is intentionally broken.
Global Pressure Mounts
Iran’s application of the death penalty is attracting international condemnation. However, effective consequences are an exception. The UN has urged targeted sanctions against judges and officials facilitating political executions. Civil society organizations are calling for international governments to require access for international monitors.
If the world does not respond now, the consequences can only become darker. Iran’s ruling elite are resorting to executions as a means of staying in power. And without international accountability, that approach will only pick up speed.
