KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran has executed at least 40 Afghan nationals in the first six months of 2025, amid a sharp rise in the country’s use of the death penalty.
The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reports that Iran has carried out at least 617 executions since January, including 40 Afghan nationals, 18 women, and one child. Most of those executed were convicted of drug-related offenses and murder, with 289 and 275 cases, respectively.
Hengaw says at least 41 executions were conducted in secret, with prisoners denied final visits with their families. Iranian media officially reported only 38 of the cases.
Iran has one of the highest execution rates in the world. The country often applies capital punishment for crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, rape, and political dissent.
Executions of Afghan nationals in Iran have increased sharply since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Norway-based Iran Human Rights recorded 16 such executions in 2022, 25 in 2023, over 80 in 2024.
Meanwhile, similar practice is taking place in Taliban-run Afghanistan. The regime has put at least 10 people to death for murder since seizing power.
The UN and human rights organizations have condemned the executions in both countries, urging an immediate halt. Amnesty International says the death penalty violates the right to life under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
