1,500 Death-Row Prisoners Stage Hunger Strike in Iran’s Largest Prison Over Execution Surge

At least 1,500 death-row inmates in Iran’s Gohardasht Prison have been on a hunger strike for two weeks protesting the sharp increase in executions under the Islamic Republic’s intensifying crackdown. Some prisoners have sewn their lips shut as a dramatic form of protest, according to human rights organizations monitoring the situation. The strike began on July 13 after six drug offenders facing imminent execution were placed in solitary confinement. Prisoners are demanding an end to executions, especially for drug-related offenses, which they say disproportionately affect the poorest segments of society. Footage shared by rights groups shows inmates holding signs reading "No More Executions" and calling for their voices to be heard.

This is not the first mass hunger strike at Gohardasht Prison; a similar protest occurred in October 2025 involving over 1,500 inmates, which ended after judicial officials promised a temporary halt to executions and case reviews. However, activists say those promises were not fulfilled. Last year, Iran set a record with at least 1,639 executions, the highest since 1989, with many carried out against protesters and political detainees following nationwide unrest that erupted in late 2022 amid economic crisis.

Executions continue for various charges including alleged espionage for Israel and drug offenses. According to the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights NGO, at least 424 people have been executed so far this year, mostly for drug-related crimes. The crackdown has persisted despite international condemnation and U.S. threats of sanctions. A source in Tehran told The Guardian that executions have intensified since a ceasefire was announced between the U.S. and Iran on April 6, with the regime becoming more brutal as the shadow of war recedes.

Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam, head of the Iran Human Rights NGO, emphasized that most drug offenders sentenced to death come from the poorest social classes and often confess under torture. He noted that executions have failed to deter drug trafficking or addiction, which have increased over the years. The hunger strike represents a significant risk for prisoners who face imminent execution but hope to draw international attention and pressure to halt the death penalty in Iran.

Summary: Over 1,500 death-row prisoners in Iran’s Gohardasht Prison have been on hunger strike for two weeks, protesting the regime’s surge in executions, especially for drug offenses. Some prisoners have sewn their lips shut to highlight their plight. Despite previous promises to halt executions, Iran continues to carry out record numbers of death sentences amid ongoing political repression and economic crisis.

Points: - 1,500 death-row inmates in Iran’s Gohardasht Prison have been on hunger strike for two weeks. - Prisoners protest the rise in executions, particularly for drug-related offenses. - Some inmates have sewn their lips shut as a form of protest. - Iran executed at least 1,639 people last year, the highest since 1989. - Executions have intensified since a U.S.-Iran ceasefire in April. - Human rights groups say most drug offenders sentenced to death are poor and confess under torture.

Topic: security israel_relevant: true entities: {"people":["Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam","Donald Trump","Abolfazl Sepahi-Bajani","Amirhossein Safari-Hosseinabadi"],"organizations":["Iran Human Rights NGO","Islamic Republic","Iranian Security Services"],"places":["Iran","Gohardasht Prison","Tehran","Isfahan"]}