The United Nations' top human rights official on Monday urged Iran to impose an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty, citing a surge in executions across the country.
“Reports that there have been several hundred executions in Iran so far this year underscore how deeply disturbing the situation has become and the urgent need for an immediate moratorium in the country on the use of the death penalty,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said in a statement.
According to data gathered by the UN Human Rights Office, at least 612 people were executed in the first half of 2025. That figure is more than double the number recorded in the same period last year.
“It is alarming to see the reports that indicate there are at least 48 people currently on death row – 12 of whom are believed to be at imminent risk of execution,” Türk said.
The UN said more than 40 percent of the executions so far this year were for drug-related offences, while others were convicted under broad and vaguely worded charges, including “enmity against God” and “corruption on Earth.”
Human rights experts have repeatedly warned that such charges are often used to criminalize political dissent and suppress freedom of expression.
“Information received by my office also indicates that judicial proceedings in a number of cases, often held behind closed doors, have consistently failed to meet due process and fair trial guarantees,” the High Commissioner said.
Minority groups remain disproportionately affected by executions, the UN added, although it did not specify which groups were most at risk. Rights organizations have previously documented disproportionate targeting of Iran's Baluch, Kurdish, and Baháʼí communities in politically sensitive cases.
The rise in executions follows a wave of repression in the aftermath of the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Guardian Council is in the final stages of reviewing a controversial espionage bill that would expand the definition of “collaboration with hostile states”—an offence punishable by death.
The proposed legislation includes acts such as online communication, cooperation with foreign media, and what it terms “ideological alignment” with foreign governments.
“This bill dangerously broadens the scope of capital punishment for espionage, and I call for it to be rescinded,” Türk said.
“The death penalty is incompatible with the right to life and irreconcilable with human dignity,” he added. “Instead of accelerating executions, I urge Iran to join the worldwide movement abolishing capital punishment, starting with a moratorium on all executions.”
Iran is one of the world’s top executioners, second only to China, according to human rights groups.
The man from New York is said to have left Iran 30 years ago and was among 35 Jews in the country detained on spy charges in the wake of the war with Israel.
He had traveled to Iran along with another Jew of Iranian origin who was also arrested but was since released on bail.
Israel’s Ynet quoted a legal representative involved in the case who remained anonymous, who said: ”They came to the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Homayoun Sameyah Najafabadi, the only Jewish representative in Iran’s parliament, said Sunday that the charge of espionage has been formally dismissed against all Jewish detainees held in Tehran, and that the majority of those arrested are expected to be released soon.
“I am proud to announce that following a two-hour meeting with Mohammad Taghavi, the head of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, it was agreed that three of the five detained members of our community will be released on light bail,” Najafabadi wrote in a statement. “We hope the remaining two individuals in Tehran will also be freed soon.”
In addition to developments in the capital, Najafabadi also addressed the situation in Alborz province, where a larger group of Jewish Iranians had been detained in recent weeks.
“With regard to the eleven individuals arrested in Alborz province, I am pleased to report that... five women were released on bail last week,” he said. “Additionally, three men were freed from detention just a few days ago.”
He added that he would continue to pursue the release of the remaining detainees in the province. “Tomorrow, a meeting will be held with Ahmad Nowrouzi, the head of the judiciary in Alborz province, regarding the status of the remaining detainees.”
Najafabadi also said that efforts were underway in Shiraz concerning another community member who remains in custody. “With regard to a fellow citizen detained in Shiraz, I, along with the respected head of the Shiraz Jewish Association, am actively pursuing the matter and we hope to witness positive results soon.”
In the wake of the war, 35 Jews were arrested in Tehran and Shiraz, as well as the Alborz province, on suspicion of ties to Israel. The 10,000 strong community has long been pressured to publicly express loyalty to the Islamic Republic and is banned from communicating with relatives in Israel.
Their arrests were part of a mass crackdown, in which 2,000 Iranians were arrested, including members of other minorities including Azeris, Kurds, and members of the Baha'i faith, on suspicion of collaboration with Israel.
The US State Department’s spokeswoman, Tammy Bruce, issued a warning last month, telling dual nationals or American citizens not to travel to Iran.
The State Department website still warns: “Americans, including Iranian-Americans and other dual nationals, have been wrongfully detained, taken hostage by the Iranian government for months, and years. The threat of detention is even greater today. Do not travel to Iran under any circumstances.”