Iran alone accounts for nearly 80% of worldwide executions in 2025, says report

Key points

• A new report by Amnesty International has revealed a dramatic rise in executions worldwide in 2025, with the total number of documented state executions reaching the highest level in 44 years.
• The report highlights the central role of Iran, which alone accounted for nearly 80% of all recorded executions globally.
• According to Amnesty International, at least 2,707 executions were carried out across 17 countries in 2025, marking a staggering 78% increase from the 1,519 executions documented in 2024. Iran was responsible for at least 2,159 of those executions — more than double its previous year’s total of at least 972. Iran’s escalating use of death penalty The report states that Iran sharply accelerated executions during the second half of 2025, particularly after tensions and hostilities with Israel intensified in June.
• Amnesty recorded 654 executions between January and June, compared with 1,505 executions from July through December.
• Human rights observers say...