Iran accelerates execution campaign against anti-regime activists amid internet censorship

close Video Iran starting to 'step up' public executions: Dr. Sheila Nazarian Dr. Sheila Nazarian, an Iranian-American who fled the country as a child, discusses the U.S.-Iran conflict and sheds light on the regime’s use of executions against its own people on 'America Reports.' NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Hören Sie sich diesen Artikel an 5 Min The Iran" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="8614" data-entity-type="organization">Islamic Republic of Iran has accelerated its executions of dissidents and activists, with the true number of victims likely obscured by the regime’s internet censorship and blackout. Ever since the January uprisings against the regime, Tehran has enforced a bloody clampdown against its opponents. The Iran-human-rights-society" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="90018" data-entity-type="organization">Iran Human Rights Society has documented 784 executions so far in 2026. A representative from the organization told Fox News Digital that "these figures indicate a rapidly accelerating trend in executions since March," and explained that "in particular, the execution of political prisoners has reached a level not seen in the past 37 years." 'KILLING OFF THE COUNTRY': Iran EXECUTES DOZENS, ARRESTS 4,000+ IN WAR CRACKDOWN A woman lays down flowers for victims of executions in Iran during a rally in Paris, France, on May 13, 2025. (Siavosh Hosseini/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) A State Department official told Fox News Digital that "we are aware of disturbing reports about the recent surge in executions in Iran." The official noted that "we strongly condemn the Iranian regime’s use of executions to punish people for exercising basic human rights, including Iranians peacefully protesting for a better life." The official said that "for decades, Iranians have been subjected to torture and sham trials resulting in executions and severe punishments, often with coerced confessions as the only evidence presented against them." According to information provided to Fox News Digital by the Secretariat of the Iran" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="5430" data-entity-type="organization">National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) on June 4, the Iran" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="8614" data-entity-type="organization">Islamic Republic of Iran executed at least 18 prisoners between May 31 and June 1. These included 12 prisoners hanged on May 31, and an additional six prisoners executed on June 1, one of whom was said to be "hanged in public with utmost brutality." Iran REGIME USES WAR TO MASK 'BRUTAL' EXECUTION SURGE AGAINST POLITICAL OPPONENTS The NCRI has counted a total of 32 executions between March 19 and June 1. These included eight members of Iranian dissident organization Iran" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="133572" data-entity-type="organization">People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOE/MEK) and 24 participants in Iran’s January 2026 protests. In documents provided to Fox News Digital, the NCRI said on June 7 that there was "an imminent risk of execution" for five political prisoners in the Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, four of whom were sentenced to death because they were charged with being members of PMOI/MEK. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the NCRI, posted on X a call for "urgent action" from the U.N. "to prevent the execution." Days earlier on June 2, following two other executions against January protesters, Rajavi said on X that the "clerical regime has committed another horrific crime in Iran." She called on the U.N. Security Council and European Union "to decisively condemn these criminal executions and take effective action to stop the killing of political prisoners and protesters in Iran." The Iran-human-rights-society" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="90018" data-entity-type="organization">Iran Human Rights Society echoed NCRI’s account of 18 recent executions between May 31 and June 1. Their representative explained that despite the internet blackout, they receive reports from "a network of prison sources, prisoners' families, lawyers, and local contacts" and explained that "all reports are reviewed and cross-checked through multiple independent sources before publication." Though they say "internet restrictions make documentation more difficult," they stated they "continue to receive, verify, and document information." Iran GOES DARK AS REGIME UNLEASHES FORCE, CYBER TOOLS TO CRUSH PROTESTS A hanging rope seen displayed during the rally in Paris, France on May 13, 2025. (Siavosh Hosseini/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Alp Toker, the director of NetBlocks, a global internet monitor, told Fox News Digital that "internet connectivity in Iran is largely restored but the service that is available remains limited compared to the state of things before the protests and the war this year. For most users, in practice, that means international access is slow with indications of throttling and there's also increased filtering, particularly targeting messaging apps. "It's been in this limbo state since the restoration with no significant change for better or worse," he said. However, the Iran-human-rights-society" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="90018" data-entity-type="organization">Iran Human Rights Society representative noted that the actual number of executions is "almost certainly" higher than the figure they have captured. "The ruling authorities in Iran frequently carry out executions in secret and do not publicly announce many of them," the representative explained. Additionally, the representative added that "a significant number of executions, particularly in remote areas or locations with limited access to information, may remain undocumented or reach us only after a considerable delay." The representative also noted that the quantity of executions the Iran-human-rights-society" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="90018" data-entity-type="organization">Iran Human Rights Society documents "has consistently been lower than the actual number carried out." The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Iran" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="8614" data-entity-type="organization">Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Mai Sato, did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the increased executions in Iran. Beth Bailey is a reporter covering Afghanistan, the Middle East, Asia, the United Nations, Central America and antisemitism. She was formerly a civilian intelligence analyst with the Department of the Army. You can follow Beth on X @BWBailey85