UN Rights Office: Iran has Executed More Than 200 People this Year

A general view of Tehran city, in Tehran, Iran June 12, 2020. Ali Khara/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
A general view of Tehran city, in Tehran, Iran June 12, 2020. Ali Khara/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
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UN Rights Office: Iran has Executed More Than 200 People this Year

A general view of Tehran city, in Tehran, Iran June 12, 2020. Ali Khara/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
A general view of Tehran city, in Tehran, Iran June 12, 2020. Ali Khara/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo

Iran has executed 209 people so far this year, a spokesperson for the UN human rights office said on Tuesday, describing its record as "abominable" and calling for them to halt.
"The UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk today expressed dismay at the frighteningly high number of executions this year in Iran," Ravina Shamdasani told a Geneva press briefing.

"On average so far this year, over 10 people are put to death each week in Iran, making it one of the world's highest executors," she added, saying most were for drug-related offences.

Iran hanged two men Monday convicted of blasphemy, authorities said.

The streak of executions, including members of ethnic minority groups in Iran, comes as monthslong protests over the September death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after her arrest by the country's morality police have cooled.

Already, at least four people charged over alleged crimes from the demonstrations have been put to death. The protests reportedly saw over 500 people killed and 19,000 others arrested.



Military: Missile Fired from Yemen Intercepted over Central Israel

Protesters, predominantly Houthi supporters, demonstrate in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, on Sunday, in Sanaa, Yemen January 17, 2025. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
Protesters, predominantly Houthi supporters, demonstrate in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, on Sunday, in Sanaa, Yemen January 17, 2025. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
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Military: Missile Fired from Yemen Intercepted over Central Israel

Protesters, predominantly Houthi supporters, demonstrate in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, on Sunday, in Sanaa, Yemen January 17, 2025. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
Protesters, predominantly Houthi supporters, demonstrate in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, on Sunday, in Sanaa, Yemen January 17, 2025. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

The Israeli military said sirens sounded in central Israel on Saturday as it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen.

Yemen’s Houthi militias have launched missiles and drones towards Israel, hundreds of kilometers to the north. Israel has responded by striking Houthi areas on several occasions. Last week Israeli warplanes bombed two ports and a power station.

The Iran-backed Houthis have also carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023. They have sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least four seafarers. The intensity of the attacks has disrupted global shipping and prompted route changes.
The attacks have forced some ships to take the long route around southern Africa rather than the Suez Canal, leading to increases in insurance rates, delivery costs and time that stoked global inflation fears.