The United Nations has expressed concern over what it described as a worsening human rights situation in Iran, revealing that at least 40 people, including 18 protesters, have been executed on national security-related charges since the beginning of 2026.
Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, said he was deeply concerned about the plight of Iranians facing both conflict and internal repression.
“I feel deeply for the people in Iran, caught between war and cruel repression,” Turk said.
According to the UN rights chief, Iranian authorities have intensified restrictions and crackdowns following anti-government protests that erupted earlier this year. He alleged that thousands of people have been arrested amid efforts to suppress dissent.
Rights groups have long accused Iran of carrying out one of the highest numbers of executions in the world, second only to China.
Turk noted that the latest wave of repression followed a deadly crackdown on protests that began over economic hardships and later expanded into broader demonstrations against the government.
While Iranian authorities have maintained that the protests were riots supported by foreign actors, including the United States and Israel, international rights organizations have accused security forces of using excessive force against demonstrators.
The UN official also welcomed the recent announcement of a peace agreement between Iran and the United States, urging all parties to act in good faith and ensure the deal is fully implemented.
He warned that the conflict involving Iran had significantly affected human rights across the Middle East and beyond, stressing the need for restraint and respect for fundamental freedoms.
Turk called on Iranian authorities to uphold human rights and ensure greater protection for civic freedoms amid ongoing political and security challenges.