Iran Executes 1,639 People in 2025 — Highest Since 1989, Raises Human Rights Concerns
Numbers and trends
At least 1,639 people were executed in Iran during 2025, the largest yearly total since 1989. That is a sharp rise from 975 the year before — roughly a 68% jump — which works out to an average of more than four executions per day.
Women accounted for at least 48 of those executions, the highest number in over two decades. Nearly all recorded executions were carried out by hanging and mostly took place inside prisons, though public executions increased to 11 in 2025.
Who was affected
Almost half of those executed had been convicted of drug-related offenses. Ethnic minorities, notably Kurdish communities in the west and Baluchi communities in the southeast, were disproportionately represented among those put to death.
Among the women executed, a significant share had been convicted in cases involving the deaths of husbands or partners, and many had histories of domestic abuse. A number of individuals executed were linked to political opposition or accused of espionage, and detained protesters charged with capital crimes remained at risk.
Possible implications
The rise in executions coincided with domestic protests and regional tensions in early 2026, raising concerns that capital punishment may be used more broadly to discourage unrest and strengthen state control.
These figures are considered minimum estimates since not all cases are publicly documented. The overall trend points to a notable increase in the use of the death penalty and to continuing human rights concerns.