The United Nations on Monday urged Iran to immediately suspend its use of the death penalty, citing a sharp and "alarming" rise in executions, with at least 612 people put to death in the first half of 2025—more than double the figure recorded during the same period last year.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk described the spike as "deeply disturbing," emphasizing the urgent need for a moratorium. "Reports of several hundred executions in Iran this year highlight the severity of the situation," Turk said in a statement.

According to data from the UN Human Rights Office, at least 297 executions were recorded in the first six months of 2024, making this year’s tally a dramatic increase. Ethnic minorities in Iran have reportedly been disproportionately targeted by death sentences.

Turk also raised concerns over at least 48 individuals currently on death row, with 12 believed to be facing imminent execution.

More than 40% of this year’s executions were for drug-related offenses, while others were carried out under broadly interpreted charges such as "enmity against God" and "corruption on earth." Human rights groups argue these laws are often used to suppress dissent and persecute activists.

The UN further criticized the lack of fair trials in many cases, noting that judicial proceedings—frequently held behind closed doors—failed to meet international due process standards.