Iran execution rate doubled in first quarter of 2025: Human Rights Group

In the first quarter of 2025, Iran’s execution rate doubled, with at least 230 people, including 8 women, executed.

The Norway-based Iran Human Rights Organization reported that at least 230 people, including 8 women, were executed in Iran during the first three months of 2025. This figure represents a twofold increase compared to the same period last year.

According to the organization, Iran executed at least 975 individuals in 2024, marking the highest number since the organization began documenting executions in 2008. The surge in executions highlights a worrying trend regarding the country’s use of capital punishment.

The organization notes that the Islamic Republic is increasingly using the death penalty during sensitive times, particularly amid rising international tensions. The government appears to be leveraging executions to maintain control amid growing unrest.

Mahmood Amiri-Moghadam, head of the Iran Human Rights Organization, warned that Iran may escalate executions in response to fears of potential military conflict with the United States. He mentioned that the Iranian authorities could exploit the ongoing geopolitical tension to carry out more executions, including of political prisoners.

Human rights groups accuse the Iranian government of using the death penalty as a tool of fear, particularly following the nationwide protests that erupted in 2022. These groups argue that the state is leveraging executions to suppress dissent and maintain its grip on power.

In 2024, the number of executed women reached a disturbing high, with at least 31 women put to death, the highest in 17 years. Many of these women were convicted of killing their husbands, whom they were forced to marry. One notable case was that of 24-year-old Mahnaz Kakaei, who was executed in Isfahan on March 29, 2025, after being convicted of killing her fiancé.

The ongoing use of the death penalty, especially against women, underscores the brutal nature of the regime’s response to dissent and societal issues. This alarming trend raises serious concerns about the country’s human rights practices.

As tensions with the U.S. continue to grow, experts fear that these executions may intensify in the coming weeks, highlighting the deepening crisis in Iran. The international community remains under pressure to address the human rights violations occurring within the country.

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