According to the UN Human Rights Office, at least 612 people have reportedly been executed in Iran in 2025 so far.

This is more than double the number reported during the same period in 2024.

Reports indicate that at least 48 people are currently awaiting execution.

Of those have been executed this year alone, more than 40% were convicted of drug-related offences, while others were tried on several other charges such as ‘enmity against God’ and ‘corruption on earth,’ which are used by Iranian authorities to silence dissidents.

‘Information received by my office indicates that judicial proceedings in a number of cases, often held behind closed doors, have consistently failed to meet due process and fair trial guarantees,’ said Volker Türk, UN Human Rights High Commissioner.

Iran’s Guardian Council is allegedly reviewing a draft espionage bill that redefines ‘collaboration with hostile states,’ which will be punishable by death. The United Nations has said that acts punishable would include online communication and collaboration with foreign media.

‘The bill dangerously broadens the scope of capital punishment, and I call for it to be rescinded,’ said Türk.

‘The death penalty is incompatible with the right to life and irreconcilable with human dignity. Instead of accelerating executions, I urge Iran to join the worldwide movement abolishing capital punishment, starting with a moratorium on all executions,’ he said.