Executions worldwide rose to their highest level since 1981 last year, with 2,707 people put to death across 17 countries, Amnesty International said on Monday. The surge, driven largely by Iran, marks a 78 percent increase from the previous year.
The UK-based rights group said Iran carried out 2,159 executions in 2025, more than double the previous year’s total and the country’s highest figure since 1981.
