Authorities in Iran carried out at least 1,639 executions in 2025, according to a joint report by Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty.

The figure marks a 68 per cent increase from the 975 executions recorded in 2024, with the report noting that the actual number could be higher due to limited verification and underreporting.

The groups warned that executions could rise further, especially amid ongoing tensions involving the United States and Israel, describing capital punishment as a potential tool of repression.

According to the report, 48 women were among those executed in 2025—the highest figure recorded in over two decades.

The organisations also raised concerns about hundreds of detained protesters who may face death sentences following the January 2026 demonstrations.

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam of Iran Human Rights urged that ending the death penalty and releasing political prisoners should be central demands in any international negotiations with Tehran.

Similarly, Raphael Chenuil-Hazan of ECPM called on global powers to prioritise human rights in discussions with Iran.

The report added that nearly half of those executed were convicted of drug-related offences, while public executions also increased significantly.

Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, continue to rank Iran among the countries with the highest execution rates globally.