Iran war: UN rights chief 'appalled' by arrests, executions

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AdvertisementSkip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• UN rights chief Volker Türk has said he is "appalled" by an ongoing crackdown since the start of the war
• The rights office said at least 21 people have been executed and more than 4,000 detained 
• Iran's currency falls to a record low of 1.8 million rials to the dollar 
• Donald Trump warns Iran to quickly reach a non-nuclear deal

Here is a roundup of the latest developments around the war in Iran and the wider Middle East on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Skip next section Iran's rial hits record low amid fragile ceasefire04/29/2026April 29, 2026

Iran's rial hits record low amid fragile ceasefire

Iran's currency has fallen to a record low of 1.8 million rials to the dollar as a fragile ceasefire with the US and Israel holds.

The rial began sliding recently after weeks of relative stability early in the war that started February 28.

The drop is expected to fuel inflation in Iran, where many essential goods — from food and medicine to raw materials — depend on the dollar exchange rate.

Despite the ceasefire, a US blockade has continued to squeeze the economy by disrupting oil exports, a key source of revenue and foreign currency.

The latest slump follows an earlier shock that helped spark nationwide protests in January, when the rial weakened sharply and deepened public anger over rising prices.

Trump extends US-Iran ceasefire as talks remain on hold

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https://p.dw.com/p/5D0BGSkip next section Trump warns Iran to 'get smart soon' as talks stall04/29/2026April 29, 2026

Trump warns Iran to 'get smart soon' as talks stall

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran to accept US terms for a peace deal as efforts to end hostilities remain stalled.

"Iran can't get their act together. They don't know how to sign a non-nuclear deal. They better get smart soon!" the US leader posted on his Truth Social platform, alongside an AI illustration of Trump holding an assault rifle, with the caption "No More Mr. Nice Guy!”

Iranian Defense Ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik said a day earlier that Washington "must abandon its illegal and irrational demands." 

US, Iran peace talks stall as Hormuz shipping backlog widens

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https://p.dw.com/p/5D0A0Skip next section UN deplores Iran crackdown amid war fallout04/29/2026April 29, 2026

UN deplores Iran crackdown amid war fallout

The UN has condemned a sweeping crackdown in Iran, warning executions and mass arrests have surged during the war.

The UN's rights office OHCHR says at least 21 people had been executed and more than 4,000 detained on national security charges, many facing torture, unfair trials and forced disappearances.

At least nine of those executions were in connection with the January 2026 protests, 10 for alleged membership in opposition groups, and two were on espionage charges.

The crackdown has targeted protesters, opposition members and minorities, with reports of coerced confessions and deaths in custody.

UN rights chief Volker Türk said he was "appalled" by the scale of repression, calling for an immediate halt to executions and the release of those arbitrarily detained.

"Even where national security is invoked, human rights can only be limited where strictly necessary and proportionate, and for a legitimate end. And core, non-derogable rights — such as protection against arbitrary detention, and the right to fair trial — must be respected absolutely, at all times."

"I call on the authorities to halt all further executions, establish a moratorium on the use of capital punishment, fully ensure due process and fair trial guarantees, and immediately release those arbitrarily detained.”

Authorities have also seized assets from hundreds of citizens at home and abroad and imposed a nationwide internet blackout lasting more than 60 days, one of the longest recorded globally.

https://p.dw.com/p/5D083Skip next section Welcome to our coverage04/29/2026April 29, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Richard Connor with AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters

Thank you for joining our Monday coverage of the Middle East as we await news on whether the United States and Iran will resume negotiations on an end to the war.

But first, a recap of Tuesday's events:

Peace talks remained stalled as the US reviewed Iran's proposal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with nuclear issues pushed to later stages.

Oil prices surged again as uncertainty over Hormuz continued and negotiations showed little progress. Markets reacted to fears the blockade could persist.

Donald Trump said Iran was in a "state of collapse" and was pushing for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened under pressure from the US blockade.

Iran said the United States could no longer dictate global policy and would have to abandon its demands.

The United Arab Emirates said it would leave oil cartels OPEC and OPEC+ to regain control over its oil strategy. The move signaled strain within the producer alliance during the crisis.

US Marines boarded a vessel suspected of violating the Iran blockade but released it after confirming it would not enter Iranian ports.

Donald Trump said Friedrich Merz did not know what he was talking about after Merz accused Iran of humiliating the United States.

Stay tuned as we bring you the latest headlines.  

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