Public hanging of five people.

IRAN’S iron-fist regime has gone on an execution spree while the eyes of the world are on its nuclear talks with the US, insiders say.

At least 22 prisoners were killed last week in less than four days as the execution rate surges “dramatically” – with even more now at risk.

Public hanging of five people.
Five people hang from the nooses after they were executed in Iran in 2007Credit: AFP
Headshot of Mehdi Hassani.
Mehdi Hassani has been sentenced to deathCredit: NCRI
Portrait of Behrouz Ehsani.
Behrouz Ehsani, 69, was tortured following his arrest in December 2022Credit: NCRI

Among those considered at serious risk are Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani, whose lives are in “grave danger” after their requests for a retrial were denied by Iran’s strict authorities.

Observers indicate that the alarming increase in executions is a “clear demonstration of escalating domestic repression as nuclear talks receive greater attention.”

Furious Donald Trump has vowed “there will be bombing” if Tehran fails to thrash out a nuclear deal in the coming weeks.

Attention has pivoted to these talks and away from Iran’s shocking treatment of its people, campaigners say.

From April 21 to April 24, Iran executed 22 prisoners, highlighting a significant rise in the number of executions since President Masoud Pezeshkian assumed office in July last year.

On Monday, a further seven were executed and on Wednesday another four at Ghezel Hesar Prison.

Almost 1,100 state executions have taken place Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s stooge came to power.

According to figures from the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), that marks more than a 20 per cent increase compared to 2023, when the regime executed 853 Iranians.

Hossein Abedini, deputy director of the UK’s NCRI offices, told The Sun “Although Pezeshkian was described as a more ‘moderate’ president, the number of executions during his tenure has risen, particularly targeting individuals arrested for drug-related offenses, dissent, and participation in the 2022 protests.

“This increase includes a troubling rise in the execution of women and minors at the time of their alleged crimes.

Two Iran prisoners set to be latest executed by barbaric regime hellbent on crushing dissent

“Such levels of cruelty and brutality highlight the deadly stalemate faced by the ruling religious regime in Iran.

“Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is desperately attempting to thwart a nationwide uprising and the impending overthrow of his regime through executions and other repressive measures.”

The Sun previously told how Iran had accelerated its execution rate in an inhumane act of intimidation as the regime fears being overthrown.

Insiders said paranoid rules were hellbent on stamping out repression on home turf after being left red-faced by the downfall of Syria’s dictatorship as well as severe defeats of its terror proxies.

But now sources say Tehran is using talk of a nuclear deal being struck – and the consequences if not – as a cloak to hide its spiralling execution rate.

Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the NCRI, said: “After suffering significant setbacks in the region and confronting the escalating threat of an uprising and overthrow, the regime has brutally intensified executions and massacres.

“Issuing death sentences to political prisoners arrested during or after the uprising is yet another attempt to intimidate the outraged populace and further demonstrates the regime’s fear of an uprising.

“The clerical regime has consistently attempted to use external crises to divert attention from its primary issue: its oppression of the domestic population.

Iran’s nuclear deal with Trump

DONALD Trump has warned Iran “there will be bombing

The US president previously pulled the US out of nuclear talks between Iran and world powers in 2018, enraging Tehran by reinstating economic sanctions.

Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz said Trump wants “full dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear programme.

He added: “That’s enrichment, that is weaponisation, and that is its strategic missile programme.”

Iran claims its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only – but the global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says evidence proves otherwise.

By March 2025, the IAEA said Iran had about 275kg of uranium which it had enriched to 60 per cent purity – technically enough to make around six weapons if Iran further enriches uranium.

Iran wants sanction relief in return for limiting – but not dismantling – its nuke scheme.

 Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the only acceptable deal would involve Iran agreeing to eliminate its nuclear programme.

“The recent rise in executions is a clear example of how repression at home escalates while more focus is placed on nuclear negotiations.”

It comes as more prisoners face being sent to the gallows after being handed death sentences.

Dad Mehdi Hassani, 48, and Behrouz Ehsani, 69, are at imminent risk of execution after their appeals were dismissed.

Both were given sentences on what campaigners say are trumped-up charges and have faced horror conditions in jail – including torture.

A haunting voice message from Hassani was shared by The Sun last month as he unleashed a blistering put down of Iran’s “cruelty and oppression”.

Hassani was arrested in September and suffered physical and mental torture after being transferred to Evin Prison.

His charges for which he has been sentenced to death include “rebellion, war, and corruption on earth, membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran and collecting classified information”.

Line graph showing recorded global executions from 2015-2024.
Public execution using cranes.
Four Iranian convicts hanging after a public execution in 2008Credit: AFP

Hassani heartbroken daughter Maryam blasted Iran’s regime for again rejecting her dad’s appeal as she told of her family’s unbearable pain.

She said: “Hearing that my father’s appeal was rejected broke our hearts.

“My family and I are under terrible stress and fear every day. We live with constant worry, knowing that at any moment, my father’s life could be taken away unfairly.

“He has done nothing wrong — he only spoke up for freedom and justice.

“The pressure on us is huge. We are scared, exhausted, and deeply hurt.

“No family should have to go through this pain just for standing up for basic human rights.”

She has called on the international community to do more to halt Iran’s callous regime.

Maryam said: “I urgently ask all international organisations, human rights defenders, and world leaders: Please do not stay silent.

“Please do not let innocent people lose their lives.

“Political prisoners are not criminals. The death penalty is cruel and inhuman. It must end.

“I have tried so hard to reach out to international bodies, to members of parliaments, and to human rights advocates like Ms. Mai sato and Mr. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

“Today, I am asking them — and all of you — once again: We need real action, not just words.

“We need your help now, to stop the executions and save lives — not just my father’s life, but the lives of many political prisoners in Iran.

“Silence allows injustice to continue. Your action can make a real difference.”

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei giving a sermon in Tehran.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali KhameneiCredit: AP:Associated Press
President Donald Trump speaking in the Oval Office.
Donald Trump is pushing Iran to sign a nuclear dealCredit: AFP

You May Also Like

Supreme Court continues to allow construction of Trump's White House ballroom

Supreme Court Lets Trump’s White House Ballroom Project Proceed

Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday left construction moving forward on…
Guilty verdict in Tupac Shakur's 1996 murder as jury convicts Duane Davis of orchestrating shooting

Duane Davis Convicted in Tupac Shakur’s 1996 Murder for Orchestrating Las Vegas Shooting

A Las Vegas jury has convicted Duane “Keffe D” Davis of orchestrating the 1996…
Saylor Hayes, 5, found dead in South Carolina waterway after wandering from family’s vacation rental home 

Missing 5-Year-Old Saylor Hayes Found Dead in SC Waterway

A 5-year-old nonverbal girl was found dead after wandering away in a…
Supreme Court lets White House continue construction on Trump’s $400 million ballroom

Supreme Court Allows White House to Continue Construction of Trump’s $400 Million Ballroom

WASHINGTON — A sharply divided Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way…
Chicago shootings this weekend: Activists demand accountability after mass shooting in Washington Park kills Rontonio Guterz

Chicago Weekend Gun Violence: Activists Demand Answers After Washington Park Mass Shooting Kills Rontonio Guterz

CHICAGO () — As summer nears its end in Chicago, the city…
Main impacts from this system will range from Louisiana to Southeast Texas through Wednesday.

Gulf Disturbance May Strengthen Into Tropical Storm Edouard This Week

A developing weather system in the Gulf of Mexico may strengthen into…
Grand Canyon flooding: Family identifies Texas man among those killed in flash flood as rescuers search for missing

Grand Canyon Flash Flooding: Texas Man Identified Among Dead as Search for Missing Continues

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The bodies of a Texas chiropractor and a lifelong…
Colorado family wakes up to bear eating breakfast in kitchen

Colorado Family Stunned as Bear Raids Kitchen for Breakfast

A Colorado family got an unexpected wake-up call in July when they…
Bryan Kohberger's new lawyer says key questions may soon get answers in court

Bryan Kohberger’s New Lawyer Says Court Answers May Come Soon

Bryan Kohberger’s newly added attorney says forthcoming court papers — and the…
Severe flash floods knocks out central water line in Grand Canyon's amid missing hikers search

Flash Floods Knock Out Grand Canyon Water Line Amid Hiker Search

Powerful flash floods tore through parts of the Grand Canyon over the…
House returns with vote expected on Senate bill to prevent government shutdown

House Returns for Key Vote on Senate Bill to Avert Shutdown

Washington — The House is set to return Monday after a five-week…
Kalshi slaps scandal-ridden George Santos with first-ever lifetime ban over shady bet

Kalshi Hands George Santos Its First Lifetime Ban Over Bet

Kalshi announced Monday that it has permanently barred former Rep. George Santos…