Iran’s Execution Crisis: Over 1,000 Hanged in Nine Months as UN Condemns “Unprecedented Spree”
October 4, 2025 — Iran executed seven political prisoners today, continuing what United Nations experts have condemned as an “unprecedented execution spree” that has claimed at least 1,042 lives in the past nine months alone.
Today’s Executions
Seven prisoners were hanged at two facilities:
- Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz: Six Arab prisoners executed
- Ghezel Hesar Prison: One Kurdish prisoner executed
According to official records, all seven individuals had been imprisoned for years following allegations of armed operations against state security.
Alarming Escalation
The execution rate has dramatically accelerated, with documented cases showing:
- 1,042 executions in just nine months
- September 2025 alone: 36 ethnic minority prisoners executed
- 18 Kurds
- 14 Baluch
- 4 Ahvazi Arabs
International Condemnation
UN experts have issued strong condemnation of what they characterize as systematic political repression designed to silence dissent and instill fear among Iran’s population.
Human rights advocates and Iranian opposition groups, including the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), describe the executions as deliberate political repression targeting:
- Ethnic minorities (Kurds, Baluch, Arabs)
- Political opponents
- Regime critics
Regime’s Justification Rejected
While Iranian authorities defend the executions as necessary measures against armed insurrection and terrorism, international organizations and UN officials have categorically rejected this rationale, pointing to:
- Violations of due process
- Failure to meet international human rights standards
- Pattern of targeting specific ethnic and political groups
Broader Context
This crisis unfolds amid heightened attention to national security issues globally, with significant developments in:
- China-US tensions over trade and technology
- Cybersecurity concerns related to government systems access
- Ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict
- Foreign influence operations
The Iranian execution crisis represents one of the most severe human rights situations currently unfolding worldwide, with the pace of executions showing no signs of slowing.
Human rights organizations continue to call for international intervention to halt what they describe as state-sponsored killings of political prisoners and ethnic minorities.