The Iran Human Rights Organization (IHR) reported that the 152 people executed in May included five Afghan nationals, nineteen Baluch individuals, nine Kurds, and two Arabs. The organization warned that the dramatic surge in executions may be intended to intimidate society and deter potential protests.

The report also shows that at least 511 people, including sixteen women, were executed in the first five months of 2025, marking a 96 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Only 28 of these executions were officially acknowledged by state sources.

Details

Only fifteen of the executions carried out in May were publicly announced. Of the total, 74 individuals were executed under the Islamic law principle of qisas (retribution in kind) for murder, while 68 were put to death in connection with drug-related offenses.

Four people were executed on charges related to security. One of them had been accused of spying for Israel, while the others were convicted of armed robbery and “spreading corruption on Earth.” Six others were executed following convictions for rape.

Among those executed were four women, five Afghan nationals, and one unidentified foreign citizen. One execution was carried out in a public space.

Call to action

Mahmood Amiry, Director of the IHR, emphasized that most of those executed were from the most vulnerable segments of society and had not received fair trials. He issued the following call:

“Those who are executed are not given fair trials and often come from the most marginalized communities. Despite the unprecedented number of executions in Iran, the international community has failed to respond adequately to this human rights crisis. We call on the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), and all countries maintaining diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic to take a stand and increase the cost of executions for Iranian authorities. Without serious pressure, we are likely to witness hundreds more executions in the coming months.”