Iran accused of using war to hide surge in executions

Iran has been accused of using the ongoing war with Israel and the US to hide a surge in executions, with human rights groups raising concerns about the rapid increase in death sentences being carried out in the country.

According to Iran Human Rights, at least 145 people have been confirmed killed in 2026 so far, with an additional 400-plus executions reported but not verified. The surge in executions has been overshadowed by the ongoing conflict, with many fearing that the political cost of these executions is very low due to the focus on oil prices and the war.

Human rights groups have documented numerous cases of torture, mock executions, and enforced disappearances in Iranian prisons, with many prisoners facing harsh conditions and denied access to basic necessities like food, water, and medicine.

The internet shutdown in Iran has made it impossible to determine the exact number of executions carried out this year, with many death sentences and charges not officially announced. Amnesty International has reported that dozens of protesters are facing the death penalty for their involvement in the January protests.

Human rights groups have condemned the use of executions as a means of suppressing dissent in Iran, with Amnesty International's Iran researcher stating that the authorities have deliberately weaponized the death penalty to instill fear among the population.