Javad Soheili and Nader Sepehdar Hanged in Mashhad

According to HRANA News Agency, two men were hanged in Mashhad (Vakil Abad) Central Prison on 17 August 2025. Their identities have been reported as Javad Soheili and Nader Sepahdar who were sentenced to death on drug-related charges by the Criminal Court.

At the time of writing, their executions have not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

Drug-related executions have continuously risen every year since 2021. According to IHRNGO’s 2024 Annual Report on the Death Penalty, at least 503 people were executed for drug-related charges, of which only under 3% were announced by official sources. 17% of all drug-related executions in 2024 were Baluch minorities while they represent 2-6% of Iran’s population. At least 347 people were executed for drug-related offences in the first seven months of 2025.