In 2024, the Iranian regime executed no fewer than 1,000 individuals across 86 prisons, marking a record high under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Among the executed were 34 women, seven minors, and 119 members of the Baluchi ethnic minority, with four executions carried out publicly. This marks a 16% increase compared to 2023, which saw 864 executions.
The escalation in executions aligns with mounting political and economic crises within Iran. The final quarter of 2024 witnessed 47% of the year’s executions, underscoring the regime’s attempt to suppress dissent and maintain control amidst growing discontent. In contrast, the first quarter accounted for only 11% of the executions, and the second quarter saw 17%. The trend correlates with significant political events, such as the parliamentary elections in February and the presidential elections in June.
Shocking Start to 2025
On January 1, 2025, the regime continued its brutal campaign with the execution of 12 individuals in prisons located in Ghezel Hesar, Bandar Abbas, Yasuj, and Malayer. This surge in executions has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates.
Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, condemned the regime’s actions, stating, “Khamenei resorts to these executions to suppress the people’s uprising demanding the regime’s overthrow. However, these atrocities only strengthened the determination of Iran’s youth to overthrow the religious dictatorship.” She further for the Iranian regime to be “ostracized by the international community” and any dealings with it be “conditioned on halting executions and torture. Its leaders must be held accountable before justice.”
Execution Patterns and Ethnic Discrimination
Executions were carried out in 86 prisons across Iran’s 31 provinces. Approximately half took place in eight major prisons, including Ghezel Hesar (165 cases), Shiraz (97 cases), and Isfahan (61 cases). Remote prisons reported fewer executions due to the difficulty of documentation.
Ethnic minorities, particularly the Baluchi population, faced disproportionate repression. Of the 1,000 documented executions, 119 were Baluchi individuals, reflecting systemic discrimination. Furthermore, 34 women and seven minors, who were under 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were among those executed. The average age of the 491 identified victims was 36 years.
Public Executions and Human Rights Violations
The Iranian regime also carried out four public executions in 2024. Beyond executions, the regime employed severe punishments, including amputations. For example, two brothers in Urmia had their right-hand fingers amputated, as did two prisoners in Qom, while authorities ignored widespread corruption among high-ranking officials.
Additionally, the judiciary ruled to blind a detainee accused of injuring a police officer during the 2017 protests. In what the regime touted as a “humanitarian” reform; it announced that thieves would be anesthetized before undergoing amputations.
Drug-Related Executions
More than half of the executions (502 cases) were drug-related, despite the regime’s involvement in drug trafficking through networks controlled by the Revolutionary Guards. These networks reportedly generate billions of dollars across the region and internationally, with some of their activities exposed following the collapse of the Syrian regime.
Calls for International Action
Maryam Rajavi emphasized that the “Silence and inaction in the face of such savage executions not only trample on recognized human rights principles but also embolden the regime to continue its executions, terrorism, war-mongering, and pursuit of nuclear weapons.” She urged global powers to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its human rights violations, terrorism, and pursuit of nuclear weapons. Rajavi reiterated the need for the regime’s leaders to face justice for their 45-year record of crimes against humanity and genocide.
The record number of executions in 2024 underscores the Iranian regime’s reliance on fear and repression to maintain its grip on power. As calls for justice grow louder, the international community faces increasing pressure to take decisive action against Tehran’s escalating human rights abuses.
