UN reports Iran executed 18 protesters in 2026.

Iran has executed at least 40 individuals, including 18 protesters, on “national security grounds” since the beginning of 2026, the United Nations announced on Monday.

UN rights chief Volker Turk expressed deep concern for Iranians “caught between war and cruel repression.” He stated that Tehran has carried out at least 40 executions on national security grounds, 18 of which were protesters, during the year.

According to rights groups, Iran carries out more executions annually than any country other than China.

Turk criticized the escalation of repression in Tehran following a deadly crackdown on protests in January, which coincided with the Middle East war that began in February after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.

He welcomed the United States and Iran’s agreement to a peace deal announced on Sunday, emphasizing that “all sides need to exercise maximum restraint and work to implement the agreement reached, quickly and in good faith.”

The conflict, he added, has had a devastating impact on human rights across the region and worldwide.

Repression in Iran was severe even before the war. In late December, a protest movement sparked by economic hardship expanded into mass anti‑government rallies, which authorities met with a crackdown that rights groups say killed thousands.

Iranian officials portrayed the protests as riots backed by the United States and Israel, claiming the violence killed around 3,000 people. Rights groups abroad reported a higher toll and accused security forces of firing at demonstrators.

“Since killing thousands of people during the egregious crushing of protests in January, the authorities have intensified their brutal crackdown, arresting thousands and imposing even more severe restrictions on civic space,” Turk said.

AFP

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