Iran ramps up execution of political prisoners amid war with US, human rights data shows

Iran Ramps Up Execution of Political Prisoners Amid War Tensions

Family Separated by Rising Death Sentences

Iran ramps up execution of political prisoners as conflict with the United States intensifies, according to new human rights data. Living in the northwest German city of Osnabrück, Niki Nikbakht maintains a close connection to her homeland through cherished photographs. She carefully examines images of her two older siblings, Hadi and Fazlollah, recalling moments captured in time. One particular picture shows Hadi smiling warmly while holding his two young sons. Another reveals a baby girl, barely five months old, who has never once seen her father’s face. Her brother has been behind bars since before Niki entered the world, carrying a death sentence handed down by Iran’s Islamic Republic government.

“I keep thinking, what if it really happens? What if I never get to see my two brothers again?”

Niki fights back emotion as she reflects on her situation. She reminds herself daily to persevere through this difficult period. “But then I tell myself, ‘Niki, you have to keep going. Keep fighting. Stay strong. Don’t let this break you,'” she explains with determination.

Hadi, now 45 years old, and his elder brother Fazlollah, 50, represent just a fraction of the growing number of Iranian political detainees confronting execution. The Oslo-based organization Iran Human Rights has been tracking these cases extensively. This non-governmental group, which includes members both within and beyond Iran’s borders, argues that the current regime has significantly increased execution rates while the country faces external conflict. As Iran ramps up execution of political prisoners, families like the Nikbakhts face mounting uncertainty.

Documenting a Surge in Death Sentences

On Wednesday, Iran Human Rights publicly condemned the execution of Mohammad Amini Dehaghani. Authorities had detained him for participating in demonstrations during January, and the rights organization maintains that his death sentence resulted from a fundamentally unfair judicial process. According to their records, at least 47 political prisoners have been put to death so far this year, representing a dramatic escalation compared to the 16 executions recorded during the same period last year.

CNN has contacted Iranian officials seeking their response to these developments.

The situation intensified when massive protests erupted across Iran late last year. American President Donald Trump issued warnings to Tehran’s leadership, cautioning against harsh responses to demonstrators and promising American support. Rather than backing down, the Iranian government escalated its use of force, resulting in numerous casualties. While exact figures remain disputed, the Human Rights Activists News Agency based in the United States has verified over 6,000 protester fatalities, with an additional 17,000 cases still being investigated.

Iranian authorities have recognized more than 3,000 deaths but attributed the majority to “rioters” involved in what they characterized as an Israeli-organized conspiracy.

Shifting International Attention

“While the attention of the international community was on the war, the Iranian regime saw this as an opportunity to execute political prisoners because under normal circumstances these executions lead to international condemnation and they have a high political cost,” IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam told CNN.

Trump initially claimed that his warnings and subsequent decision to avoid military intervention prevented additional violence. However, as weeks passed and the United States along with Israel initiated comprehensive military operations against Iran, the American president urged Iranians to act decisively. “America is with you. I made a promise to you, and I fulfilled that promise. The rest will be up to you, but we’ll be there to help,” he declared.

Over time, however, Washington’s enthusiasm diminished. Economic consequences worldwide grew more severe, and American rhetoric toward Iranian dissidents became less enthusiastic. When American and Iranian representatives finalized a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding on June 17, the agreement contained no references to protesters, persecuted opposition figures, or human rights concerns. Critics argue that as Iran ramps up execution of political prisoners, Western powers have shown limited willingness to intervene.

Meanwhile, human rights organizations report that Iran had already begun increasing executions even as diplomatic talks with the United States continued.

The Brothers’ Story Continues

The brothers Niki loves were detained prior to the major January demonstrations at their residence in Golpaygan. Rights groups indicate they were taken into custody on October 25, 2025, when officials attempted to confiscate their property. Both men had engaged in political activities for many years, including involvement in a movement advocating for a national referendum regarding the Islamic Republic’s future.

In early June, they received death sentences under the expansive charge of “fesad fi’l-mizan” (corruption on earth), a broad legal provision that has been used increasingly against political opponents. The brothers now join dozens of others as Iran continues to ramp up execution of political prisoners during this period of heightened regional tension.