The Islamic Republic of Iran has intensified its crackdown on dissent, particularly targeting activists and political opponents through an alarming rise in executions. This surge, however, remains shrouded in secrecy due to stringent internet censorship and frequent communication blackouts enforced by the regime.
Following the widespread protests that erupted in January, the government in Tehran has responded with a brutal campaign aimed at quelling opposition. Human rights organizations have been closely monitoring the situation, despite the challenges posed by the regime’s efforts to obscure the full extent of its actions.
According to the Iran Human Rights Society, a staggering 784 executions have been recorded in 2026 alone. A spokesperson for the organization informed News Media that these numbers reveal a rapidly increasing trend, with a significant uptick noted since March. The spokesperson further highlighted that the execution of political prisoners has reached levels unprecedented in the last 37 years.
In a chilling illustration of the regime’s ruthless measures, a recent report titled “KILLING OFF THE COUNTRY” details Iran’s execution of dozens and the arrest of over 4,000 individuals as part of its crackdown on perceived opposition.
Amidst these grim developments, acts of remembrance continue. In Paris, France, a woman was seen laying down flowers to honor the victims of Iran’s executions during a rally held on May 13, 2025. This poignant gesture serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and human rights in the face of such harsh repression.
A State Department official told News Media that “we are aware of disturbing reports about the recent surge in executions in Iran.” The official noted that “we strongly condemn the Iranian regime’s use of executions to punish people for exercising basic human rights, including Iranians peacefully protesting for a better life.”
The official said that “for decades, Iranians have been subjected to torture and sham trials resulting in executions and severe punishments, often with coerced confessions as the only evidence presented against them.”
According to information provided to News Media by the Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) on June 4, the Islamic Republic of Iran executed at least 18 prisoners between May 31 and June 1. These included 12 prisoners hanged on May 31, and an additional six prisoners executed on June 1, one of whom was said to be “hanged in public with utmost brutality.”
The NCRI has counted a total of 32 executions between March 19 and June 1. These included eight members of Iranian dissident organization People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOE/MEK) and 24 participants in Iran’s January 2026 protests.
In documents provided to News Media, the NCRI said on June 7 that there was “an imminent risk of execution” for five political prisoners in the Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, four of whom were sentenced to death because they were charged with being members of PMOI/MEK.
Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the NCRI, posted on X a call for “urgent action” from the U.N. “to prevent the execution.”
Days earlier on June 2, following two other executions against January protesters, Rajavi said on X that the “clerical regime has committed another horrific crime in Iran.” She called on the U.N. Security Council and European Union “to decisively condemn these criminal executions and take effective action to stop the killing of political prisoners and protesters in Iran.”
The Iran Human Rights Society echoed NCRI’s account of 18 recent executions between May 31 and June 1. Their representative explained that despite the internet blackout, they receive reports from “a network of prison sources, prisoners’ families, lawyers, and local contacts” and explained that “all reports are reviewed and cross-checked through multiple independent sources before publication.” Though they say “internet restrictions make documentation more difficult,” they stated they “continue to receive, verify, and document information.”
A hanging rope seen displayed during the rally in Paris, France on May 13, 2025. (Siavosh Hosseini/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Alp Toker, the director of NetBlocks, a global internet monitor, told News Media that “internet connectivity in Iran is largely restored but the service that is available remains limited compared to the state of things before the protests and the war this year. For most users, in practice, that means international access is slow with indications of throttling and there’s also increased filtering, particularly targeting messaging apps.
“It’s been in this limbo state since the restoration with no significant change for better or worse,” he said.
However, the Iran Human Rights Society representative noted that the actual number of executions is “almost certainly” higher than the figure they have captured. “The ruling authorities in Iran frequently carry out executions in secret and do not publicly announce many of them,” the representative explained. Additionally, the representative added that “a significant number of executions, particularly in remote areas or locations with limited access to information, may remain undocumented or reach us only after a considerable delay.”
The representative also noted that the quantity of executions the Iran Human Rights Society documents “has consistently been lower than the actual number carried out.”
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Mai Sato, did not respond to News Media’s request for comment on the increased executions in Iran.
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