UN reports surge in executions in Iran, says 18 protesters among 40 killed since 2026

The United Nations has raised alarm over a sharp increase in executions in Iran, reporting that at least 40 people, including 18 protesters, have been put to death since the start of 2026 under what authorities describe as “national security” charges.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk disclosed the figures during an address to the UN Human Rights Council, expressing deep concern over what he described as a deteriorating human rights situation in the country. He said civilians were increasingly “caught between war and cruel repression,” as tensions rise both domestically and across the wider region.

According to UN human rights monitors and international watchdogs, the spike in executions follows months of unrest triggered by worsening economic conditions and political grievances that sparked mass protests in late 2025 and early 2026. The demonstrations were met with a forceful security response, which later intensified amid broader regional hostilities linked to strikes on Iranian territory in February 2026.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, allege that Iranian authorities have used the security environment as justification to accelerate prosecutions and suppress dissent. They argue that the judiciary has increasingly relied on broad and ambiguous charges such as “enmity against God” and “espionage,” often following trials that lack transparency and due process.

Reports from rights groups also claim that many detainees were denied access to independent legal representation, with allegations of torture and coerced confessions used as evidence in court proceedings. The UN has warned that the expanded use of national security legislation is placing a wide range of individuals, including minors, at risk of capital punishment.

Iran remains one of the world’s leading executors of prisoners annually, second only to China, which does not publicly release execution statistics.

The UN statement came as diplomatic efforts showed tentative progress, with the United States and Iran reportedly reaching an agreement on a peace framework aimed at reducing regional tensions. UN officials urged all parties to ensure swift implementation of the deal.

Türk called for immediate restraint, stressing that sustained peace efforts are essential to restoring human rights protections. “It is clear all sides need to exercise maximum restraint and work to implement the agreement reached, quickly and in good faith,” he said.