U.S. State Department: The Execution Rate of Women in Iran Has Reached Its Highest Level in 25 Years

The U.S. State Department announced via a message on social media platform X that the execution rate of women in Iran has reached its highest level in the past 25 years. According to reports for the year 2025, at least 61 women have been executed in Iran this year, indicating an increase of about 70% compared to the previous year. The statement emphasized that while executions of women are rare or nearly non-existent in many countries around the world, Iran has significantly outpaced other countries with its double-digit execution figures for women. The U.S. State Department described this trend as a concerning indicator of the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic. The message also mentioned Zahra Shahbaz Tabari, one of the women currently awaiting execution in Iran; a case that, according to the State Department, highlights the rising number of women in such dangerous situations. The U.S. State Department condemned what it called 'barbaric executions' and urged the Islamic Republic to immediately end this trend, respect fair trial principles, and release all political prisoners. The agency emphasized that the United States stands with the people of Iran and the global community in the pursuit of human rights and the dignity of women. In another simultaneous post on X, the State Department referred to the situation of Reza Khandan, stating that he has recently served one year of his unjust three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for peacefully opposing the policies of the Islamic Republic. According to the agency, Reza Khandan, along with his wife Nasrin Sotoudeh, a human rights lawyer, has devoted a significant part of his life to supporting the brave women of Iran, advocating for equal rights, justice for political prisoners, and working to end the death penalty. The U.S. State Department viewed Reza Khandan's imprisonment as a reminder of a troubling reality, emphasizing that in Iran, those who dare to speak out, whether women or men, face intimidation, violence, and unjust punishments; however, the agency stated that their courage will not be extinguished. The U.S. State Department called for the immediate release of Reza Khandan and all political prisoners, stressing that the realization of justice and equality should not be delayed.