UN alarmed by 'worrying surge' in Iran executions

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The United Nations urged Iran on Monday to stop using the death penalty, citing a "worrying surge in executions" this year.

"Reports that there have been several hundred executions in Iran so far this year underscore how deeply disturbing the situation has become and the urgent need for an immediate moratorium in the country on the use of the death penalty," UN human rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement.

According to information gathered by the UN Human Rights Office, at least 612 people were reportedly executed in the first half of 2025.

The figure is more than double the number during the same period in 2024, when the Iranian authorities reportedly carried out at least 297 executions, the statement said.

Minorities are disproportionately affected, it added.

"It is alarming to see the reports that indicate there are at least 48 people currently on death row -- 12 of whom are believed to be at imminent risk of execution," said Turk.

The UN high commissioner for human rights said information gathered by his office indicated that judicial proceedings were, in a number of cases, held behind closed doors and had consistently failed to meet due process and fair trial guarantees.

More than 40 percent of those executed this year were convicted of drug-related offences, his office said.

Others were tried on "broad and vague charges such as 'enmity against God' and 'corruption on Earth', which are often used by the authorities to silence dissent".

Tehran 'striving' to limit use

Iran defended its use of the death penalty, saying it applied only to the most serious offences.

"The death penalty is recognised under Iran's domestic laws for a range of the most serious crimes," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.

He said Tehran was "striving to limit the use of this punishment to only the most severe crimes".

Turk said the authorities in Tehran were reviewing a draft espionage bill that would redefine "collaboration with hostile states" -- punishable by the death penalty -- to include acts such as online communication, collaborating with foreign media and "ideological alignment".

"This bill dangerously broadens the scope of capital punishment for espionage and I call for it to be rescinded," said Turk.

Several NGOs say that Iranian authorities have arrested hundreds of people and executed dozens in a wave of repression following the 12-day war with Israel.

They have accused the Islamic republic of using fear to compensate for weaknesses revealed by the conflict.

Turk said: "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."

Iran ranks as the world's second-most prolific executioner after China, according to human rights groups including Amnesty International.

Executions in Iran are typically carried out by hanging at dawn.

Turk's call came the day after Iran executed two men, having convicted them of carrying out armed operations for the exiled opposition People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK).

"This brutality only intensifies the outrage of the Iranian people and reinforces the determination of Iran's courageous youth to bring an end to this theocratic tyranny," MEK leader Maryam Rajavi said on X.

Rajavi is president of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, the political wing of the MEK, which Tehran regards as a "terrorist" group.