Iran Has Executed 40 On Security Charges This Year, UN Reports

The United Nations has accused Iran of escalating its crackdown on dissent, revealing that at least 18 protesters were among 40 people executed on national security-related charges since the beginning of 2026.

Addressing the UN Human Rights Council, Volker Türk expressed concern over the worsening human rights situation in Iran, saying citizens were trapped between conflict and state repression.

According to Türk, Iranian authorities have intensified restrictions and arrests following a deadly crackdown on protests that erupted over economic hardship and later evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations.

He welcomed the recent peace agreement between the United States and Iran, urging all parties to implement the deal in good faith and avoid further escalation.

The UN rights chief said the conflict and subsequent repression had severe human rights consequences across the region. Rights groups have long criticised Iran’s use of the death penalty, with the country ranking among the world’s leading executioners.

Iranian authorities maintain that the protests were backed by foreign actors and turned violent, while rights organisations accuse security forces of using excessive force against demonstrators.