Iran has carried out at least 901 executions between January and July, according to a new report from the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran (ABC). The Washington-based group, which monitors the Islamic Republic's use of capital punishment, said the figure represents a continued upward trend in recent years, with at least 28 more executions recorded in August alone.
The report, released on Tuesday, documents a sharp rise in executions linked to national security, drug offences, and ethnic minority cases. At least 56 people were put to death on political or national security charges during the seven-month period, including 29 connected to public protests, 13 accused of espionage, and 14 sentenced on other security-related grounds. Drug-related offences accounted for at least 268 executions.
The findings also highlight a disproportionate impact on ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups. Between January and July, at least 98 members of ethnic minorities were executed, including 40 Baluch people, 29 Kurds, 21 Afghans, six Arabs, one Turk, and one Turkman. The report also documents the executions of 16 women and two individuals who were under 18 at the time of their alleged offences. Five executions were carried out publicly.
Executions were concentrated in several provinces, with Razavi Khorasan recording the highest number at 95, followed by Isfahan with 71 and Alborz with 57. The figures add to growing international concern over the scale of capital punishment in Iran.
Rising toll draws international alarm
In a report to the UN General Assembly, Secretary-General António Guterres said at least 975 people were reportedly executed in Iran in 2024, a 17% increase from the previous year and the highest annual figure recorded since 2015. The ABC report also notes a further sharp rise in the first half of 2025, with at least 612 executions recorded between January and June, a 119% increase compared with the same period in 2024.
Human rights advocates have repeatedly called on Tehran to halt executions, particularly in cases involving minors and political prisoners. The European Union has condemned the practice, urging Iran to respect international law. The bloc's foreign policy arm has previously raised the issue in bilateral dialogues, but no concrete sanctions have been imposed specifically for the execution rate.
The ABC report comes as Iran faces heightened scrutiny over its human rights record, including the treatment of protesters and ethnic minorities. The executions of individuals linked to public demonstrations have drawn particular criticism, with activists arguing that the judicial system is being used to suppress dissent.
For European observers, the data underscores the challenges of engaging with Tehran on human rights while also addressing nuclear and regional security concerns. The EU has maintained a policy of critical dialogue, but the persistent rise in executions has led some member states to push for stronger measures.
The report's release coincides with other international crises, including the Russian strike in Kharkiv region that killed at least 10 people, and the Taliban's five-year mark in power amid a deepening rights crisis. These events highlight a broader global trend of authoritarian crackdowns, which European policymakers are increasingly forced to confront.
As the international community prepares for the next UN General Assembly session, the ABC report is likely to fuel renewed calls for accountability. The group's documentation, based on official announcements and credible sources, provides a stark reminder of the human cost of capital punishment in Iran.
