Iranian seizures of meth increased from 30,393 kilograms in 2022 to 40,453 kg in 2025 with the help of the technology, according to the United Nations.<\/p>\n
UN anti-drug assistance draws human rights scrutiny<\/p>\n
Though presented by the UN as a major achievement in the thwarting of international drug trafficking, the agency\u2019s official policy advocates for the universal abolition of the death penalty, viewing it as incompatible with fundamental human rights.<\/p>\n
The flag of Iran is seen outside the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters during a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors on March 02, 2026 in Vienna, Austria;illustrative (credit: Christian Bruna\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Nearly 1,000 out of the 1,212 executions for drug-related offenses in 2025 were carried out by the Islamic regime, according to the 15th report of Harm Reduction International published in March. At the time of the report, over 1,000 people were awaiting execution for drug-related offenses, some of whom had never come into direct contact with the illegal substance.<\/p>\n
According to both the report and UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran<\/a>, Mai Sato, the large majority of those killed came from a background of poverty. Many were alleged to have worked in only minor roles in the drug trade, and they were denied proper due process during their trial.<\/p>\n Critics warn UN support may strengthen Iran and its proxies<\/p>\n Additionally, while the UNODC said last week that thwarting smuggling attempts helped stem the flow of money to organized crime groups, Anne Herzberg, legal adviser at NGO Monitor, told The Jerusalem Post that many of Iran\u2019s proxies also rely on funds generated through illicit drug trafficking.<\/p>\n