UN Reports Iran Executed 21 and Arrested Thousands Since War Began
The United Nations Human Rights Office has reported that Iran has executed at least 21 individuals and detained over 4,000 people since the start of the ongoing Iran war.
These actions have taken place following US and Israeli strikes on Iran that began on 28 February 2026.
According to a statement issued from Geneva, nine of those executed were linked to protests in January, ten were accused of membership in opposition or hostile groups, and two were executed on espionage charges.
The UN office highlighted that all executions occurred after the military strikes commenced.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed shock and alarm at the situation, noting that Iranian authorities continue to impose severe restrictions on people's rights.
He called on Tehran to halt executions, release prisoners held arbitrarily, and cease applying the death penalty.
Since 9 March, more than 4,000 individuals have been detained on national security charges.
The UN reported that many detainees have disappeared, been subjected to torture, or faced mock executions.
Ethnic and religious minorities appear to be disproportionately affected by these measures.
