[Today's Prayer] Iran Executes at Least 2,003 People Over the Past Year, a 29% Increase Compared to the Previous Year

At least 2,003 people were executed in Iran over the past year. This represents an increase of approximately 29% compared to the same reporting period in the previous year, meaning that one person was executed approximately every 4 hours and 21 minutes. Human rights organizations have pointed out that as executions in Iran surge, the authorities continue to withhold information and carry out executions related to political and security charges.

In a report released this month, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a nonprofit human rights organization, stated that it had confirmed at least 2,003 executions throughout Iran between October 10, 2025, and October 8, 2026. These figures were compiled based on 1,857 related reports.

During the same period, 230 people were recorded as having been sentenced to death. The number of confirmed executions during the previous reporting period, from 2024 to 2025, was 1,553.

According to data from HRANA's Statistics Center, executions in Iran have increased annually since the 2019–2020 reporting period, when 249 executions were recorded. The number of executions during the current reporting period was more than 182% higher than the average of 710 executions across the previous 10 reporting periods.

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There were 69 executions carried out on political or security-related charges. These included cases connected to protests. Of these, 35 were found to be related to protests that took place in January 2026.

HRANA reported that at least 47 women were executed over the past year and that four of those executed had been under the age of 18 when the alleged crimes occurred. Of all those executed, 88.8% were men, 2.3% were women, and the gender of the remaining 8.9% could not be confirmed.

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Meanwhile, Rayan Amiri, a political activist who fled abroad after opposing the Iranian government, spoke out about the danger he faces.

Amiri, who fled to Turkey after leading protests in January 2026, claimed in an interview with the American media outlet NewsNation that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was tracking him and intended to kidnap him, return him to Iran, and subject him to a sham trial.

He stated that he felt his life was in danger and intended to seek asylum in the United States, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and other countries.

Amiri claimed that the Iranian regime uses the fear of execution to prevent citizens from speaking out against the government.

He said, "The Islamic regime that has taken control of Iran executes protesters and dissidents to instill fear in society and prevent the next uprising. Several protesters who participated in the January uprising have already been hanged following unfair trials, and many of them were young people."

He went on to claim that public executions, coerced confessions, and propaganda campaigns intended to suppress dissent are being used as means of intimidating citizens.

Source: Christian Today

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17)

Heavenly Father, we hear the heartbreaking news that at least 2,003 people have been executed in Iran over the past year and that executions in the country are increasing rapidly each year.

Lord, have mercy on those who have been sentenced to death for opposing the Iranian government, as well as the families of those who have been executed. Hear all their groans and desperate cries.

Furthermore, judge the wickedness of the Iranian regime, which continues to carry out executions and has now taken the lives of not only women but also minors under the age of 18 for its own purposes. May the Islamic regime that has taken control of Iran soon be brought down by the power of the cross.

As the younger generation in Iran grows increasingly eager for freedom despite the oppression of the Iranian government, may they look to You, the God who graciously gives eternal encouragement and good hope, and become a generation that enjoys freedom in the truth.

May the Iranian church nurture young Iranians through the Word and prayer so that they may live wholeheartedly and devote their lives solely to the Lord's Kingdom. May the global church also continue to bring Iran's situation to public attention and pray together.

And so, until the day the Lord returns, may the Iranian people become a people who boldly testify to the gospel of Jesus Christ, even in the face of death!