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The UN Human Rights Council on Thursday condemned Iran's systematic human rights abuses and extended the mandates of its special rapporteur and the independent international fact-finding mission for another year.
The resolution, submitted by Iceland, Germany, North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, and the United Kingdom, passed with 24 votes in favor, 8 against, and 15 abstentions at the end of the council's 58th annual session in Geneva.
The council said in the resolution that it is alarmed by the widespread violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights in Iran, particularly the severe repression of women, ethnic and religious minorities, and the continuing increase in executions.
The resolution condemned Iran’s use of the death penalty to spread fear and silence political dissent. It warned that handing down death sentences for offenses that don’t meet the international standard of “most serious crimes” is a clear violation of global legal norms. Under international law, the death penalty should be reserved only for crimes involving intentional killing.
The council also highlighted the systematic suppression of freedom of expression and assembly, the harassment of journalists, the restrictions on human rights defenders and civil activists, and what it called "the multifaceted violence and discrimination against minorities" as key examples of ongoing human rights violations in Iran.
The resolution extends the mandate of the special rapporteur on human rights in Iran for another year, tasking the role with continuously monitoring the human rights situation, gathering credible documentation of violations, and assessing Iran's progress in implementing previous recommendations.
The special rapporteur is required to present two periodic reports, one to the Human Rights Council and another to the UN General Assembly. The resolution urged Iranian authorities to provide the necessary cooperation and full access for on-site investigations within Iran.
Additionally, the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, initially established following the nationwide protests in 2022-2023, was also extended for a year.
The mission is mandated to collect and systematically preserve documentation, evidence, and reports related to the suppression of protests, including gender and ethnicity-based discrimination, excessive use of force, and widespread violations of protesters' rights. The goal is to prepare evidence for any future independent legal proceedings to ensure accountability for responsible individuals and entities.
The resolution urged Iran to end systemic impunity by reforming its constitution, criminal laws, and its Judiciary to break the cycle of violence and repression. It called for the repeal or overhaul of compulsory hijab laws and the elimination of discrimination against women and minorities.
The council also demanded fair trials, ensuring that courts operate independently under qualified judges.
It further called for lifting restrictions on civil society, journalists, human rights defenders, and labor activists, safeguarding internet access and peaceful assembly, and releasing all individuals jailed for peaceful activities.
Lastly, the resolution pressed Iran to grant entry and access to the UN special rapporteur and the international fact-finding mission, in line with Iran’s formal invitation to UN human rights bodies.
The Iranian government, which dismisses all accusations regarding human rights violations, has not permitted UN special rapporteurs on human rights to visit the country and conduct investigations.
Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, strongly criticized the adoption of the resolution, labeling it a discriminatory act that undermines the council's credibility.
He argued that the resolution wastes the council's resources and diminishes trust in its work, urging a focus on the situation in Gaza instead.
Amnesty International welcomed the extension and broadening of the Fact-Finding Mission's mandate as a "critical, long-awaited response to the persistent demands for justice from survivors, victims' families and human rights defenders in Iran and in exile."
The organization said that by no longer being limited to the 2022 "Woman Life Freedom" protests, the mission can now investigate other recent or ongoing serious human rights violations and crimes under international law.
The UN's decision follows reports by the fact-finding mission documenting widespread human rights violations, including torture and sexual violence in prisons, which they said constitute crimes against humanity.
Reformist political activist Mohammad Ali Abtahi has condemned US President Donald Trump's recent threats against Iran as outside diplomatic norms,warning that military confrontation would not benefit either nation.
In an interview with ISNA on Friday, Abtahi said it is unheard of for a country's leader to threaten another with bombing without any reason.
Despite long-standing differences, Abtahi said that both countries understand a military solution is illogical, and the exchange of letters between Trump and Iran indicates a tendency towards diplomacy.
He added, "The Americans also know that a military confrontation between Iran and the US is not in their interest and will even harm Trump's economy and businesses."
Abtahi also criticized Western efforts to portray regional resistance movements as Iranian proxies, asserting that the Islamic Republic has only provided "spiritual support" to these movements and that the term "proxy" is inaccurate.
Neither military strikes nor negotiations are likely to fully end Iran's nuclear program, potentially only delaying its advancement, according to analysis from Michael Singh, a former senior director for Middle East affairs in the George W. Bush administration's National Security Council.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Singh suggested that achieving a complete cessation of Iran's nuclear ambitions through these means is improbable.
His assessment aligns with recent warnings from Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker and current advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who said this week that a military attack would compel Iran to aggressively pursue nuclear weapons for its defense.
Iran’s nuclear activities can be placed under full verification, President Masoud Pezeshkian told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday, amid continued US pressure for a ban on Tehran’s nuclear weapons development.
“It is possible to place the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear activities under full verification, as has been done in previous years,” Pezeshkian told the Saudi leader in their phone call.
He also said that Iran seeks dialogue and rejects any military use of nuclear energy.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought war or conflict, and non-peaceful use of nuclear energy has absolutely no place in our security and defense doctrine,” media in Tehran quoted him as saying.
“We are not seeking war with any country, but we have no hesitation in defending ourselves, and our readiness and capabilities in this regard are at the highest level,” Pezeshkian said, according to a statement from his office.
Pezeshkian also said that Iran is ready to engage in dialogue to reduce tensions based on mutual interests and respect, according to the statement.
In recent days, Tehran has signaled its willingness to engage in indirect talks with the Trump administration, while the US continues to favor quicker, direct negotiations.
“I think it’s better if we have direct talks,” Trump said on Thursday. “I think it goes faster, and you understand the other side a lot better than if you go through intermediaries. They wanted to use intermediaries. I don’t think that’s necessarily true anymore.”
It remains unclear whether Iran has genuinely shifted its position or if President Trump is merely speculating about Tehran’s intentions.
The US administration has continued to escalate sanctions on Iran, aiming to fully halt the country’s oil exports—especially to China. Trump has also threatened that if Tehran does not make concessions, it can become the target of military strikes.
US President Donald Trump says he thinks Tehran wants to negotiate directly with Washington.
“I think it’s better if we have direct talks,” Trump said on Thursday. “I think it goes faster, and you understand the other side a lot better than if you go through intermediaries. They wanted to use intermediaries. I don’t think that’s necessarily true anymore.” he told reporters on Thursday.
It remains unclear whether Iran has genuinely shifted its position or if President Trump is merely speculating about Tehran’s intentions.
In recent days, Tehran has signaled its willingness to engage in indirect talks with the Trump administration, while the US continues to favor quicker, direct negotiations.
