Iran Executes 36 Convicts in 24 Hours

Latest Developments

Iran executed at least 36 prisoners in the space of 24 hours, the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) reported on August 7. According to the Norway-based nonprofit Iran Human Rights (IHR), the killings included the group execution of 26 men in Ghezel Hesar Prison. “Group executions of this size are unprecedented in the last two decades,” said IHR in a statement. “The last recorded case was at the height of the 2009 nationwide protests when 20 people were executed for drug-related offences in Rajai Shahr (Gohardasht) Prison on 3 July 2009.” IHR said Iran has executed at least 87 people since the runoff round of Iran’s presidential election in early July, which resulted in the victory of Masoud Pezeshkian.

Expert Analysis

“Tehran’s latest executions seek to demonstrate that the newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian — despite his reputation as a so-called ‘reformist’ — will not tolerate dissent. The international community should not be fooled by this wolf in sheep’s clothing.” — Tzvi Kahn, FDD Research Fellow and Senior Editor

“While ordinary Iranians have long abandoned hope in the so-called ‘reformist’ camp and are now calling for an end to the regime, the European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs legitimized Pezeshkian by attending his inauguration. Joseph Borrell’s office should demonstrate the EU’s commitment to human rights by condemning the Islamic Republic’s surge in executions under Pezeshkian rather than offering tacit support through diplomatic gestures.” — Janatan Sayeh, FDD Research Analyst

Executions Indicate Continuity Over Change

While some Western media outlets have described Pezeshkian as a moderate, the new president has promised continuity over change. “We are not going to write a new program and implement a new policy,” Pezeshkian said in June. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has instructed Pezeshkian to continue the policies of his predecessor, the late Ebrahim Raisi, who presided over a record number of executions while in office. Pezeshkian campaigned not as an outsider to the regime but as part of the dominant Islamist order. According to IHR, Tehran has executed at least 345 people in 2024 to date.

Protests Persist

Despite the regime’s repression, protests in Iran have continued since the two rounds of voting in the presidential election in late June and early July. According to FDD’s protest tracker, 34 protests have occurred in August so far. In July, 154 demonstrations took place. In June, at least 166 protests unfolded. Since the popular uprising known as “Women, Life, Freedom” began in September 2022, more than 6,900 protests and 25,000 arrests have transpired. Iranian security forces have killed at least 645 protesters, not including the executions formally committed by the judiciary.

Related Analysis

“Iran Executes Protestor for Alleged Role in 2022 Uprising,” FDD Flash Brief

“Executions in Iran Surge as Presidential Inauguration Nears,” FDD Flash Brief

“FAQ: Iran’s New President and Latest ‘Election,” by Behnam Ben Taleblu