The US State Department sharply criticized the execution of Iranians by authorities and called for Tehran to release political prisoners amid signs it has ramped up its use of the death penalty in recent months to sow fear and quell dissent.Iran is one of the world's leading executioners, according to human rights groups, who say Tehran is using the cover of the current war with the United States to justify increased usage of capital punishment and spread fear among Iranians.According to the latest data, 424 people have been put to death so far in Iran in 2026.
In a post on July 26, Riley Barnes, US assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights, and labor, called for a halt to the execution of individuals "for peacefully exercising human rights and fundamental freedoms.""We condemn the Iranian regime's action in executing its own citizens, brave young Iranians who dared to speak out," Barnes wrote on X."We join the people of Iran in calling on the regime to release all political prisoners and stop executing individuals for peacefully exercising human rights and fundamental freedoms. The world is watching," he added.The latest execution to date was that of 26-year-old law graduate Mehdi Khaneki, whom the Iranian judiciary hanged on July 22 for alleged weapons offenses and actions that "benefited" Israel, the United States, and "hostile groups."
