The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has announced that since the beginning of the current calendar year, at least 40 people in Iran have been executed on charges related to "national security," including 18 individuals who had participated in protests.
Speaking on Monday, June 15, 2026, Volker Türk said that he "deeply sympathizes with the people of Iran, who find themselves trapped between war and ruthless repression."
According to human rights groups, Iran carries out more executions each year than any country except China.
Türk expressed regret that, following the deadly crackdown on protests in January 2026, Tehran had intensified its repression during the Middle East conflict that began on February 28, 2026, following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.
"The authorities have undertaken a severe crackdown, arresting thousands of people and imposing further restrictions on civic space," he said.
In another part of his remarks, the UN High Commissioner welcomed the announcement of a peace agreement between the United States and Iran and urged all parties in the region to exercise maximum restraint.
"I welcome the announcement that the United States and Iran have reached an understanding on a peace agreement that includes an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for continued negotiations," Türk said.
He added: "At this sensitive moment, it is clear that all parties must exercise the utmost restraint and work toward the swift and good-faith implementation of the agreement reached."
Although the agreement currently remains a framework rather than a finalized settlement, it represents the most significant breakthrough toward ending a conflict that began with the joint U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, 2026, a war that has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted global energy markets.
The UN High Commissioner also expressed concern over Israeli strikes on residential areas and infrastructure in Lebanon, as well as cross-border attacks carried out by Hezbollah.
He called for an immediate end to hostilities, Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory, and investigations into alleged violations of international law by all parties involved.
