The Islamic Republic of Iran conducted over 1,000 executions in 86 prisons across the country in 2024, marking an increase of 16% from the previous year. Most of the executions took place in the latter half of the year, with almost 70% occurring after the election of President Masoud Pezeshkian. This surge in executions was seen as a desperate attempt by the regime to suppress potential uprisings in the face of mounting economic and social crises. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, condemned the executions as medieval crimes that only strengthened the resolve of the Iranian youth to overthrow the religious dictatorship.
Despite this record surge in executions, the regime of Iran faced criticism from international entities for their actions. Maryam Rajavi called for an end to executions and torture, stating that any negotiations with the regime must be conditioned on these demands. The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations declined to comment on the issue. Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, attributed the increase in executions to the regime’s efforts to prevent discontent and maintain control amidst external pressure and internal challenges.
The individuals executed in Iran in 2024 included women, juveniles, Afghan nationals, and members of the Baluchi minority. The Iranian regime has been criticized for disproportionately targeting ethnic and religious minorities in their crackdown on dissent. The United Nations-mandated Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran highlighted the impact on these minorities, especially in the aftermath of protests that began in September 2022. In addition to domestic targets, the regime also executed foreign nationals, such as German citizen and journalist Jamshid Sharmahd, who was kidnapped and charged with “corruption on earth” in a widely criticized trial.
One political prisoner in Iran, Saeed Masouri, described the grim reality of living under constant fear of execution, with killings taking place at an alarming rate in Iranian prisons. Masouri emphasized that every encounter and sound could be his last, illustrating the pervasive atmosphere of fear and uncertainty faced by political prisoners in Iran. The National Council of Resistance of Iran reported that 12 prisoners were executed on the first day of 2025, underscoring the ongoing human rights abuses and disregard for due process in Iran’s justice system. The international community continues to condemn Iran’s record of executions and human rights violations.
