Iran
Death penalty and prisoners' rights · Archive since 1999
Data card
- Legal status
- Retentionist
- Executions recorded in 2026
- 869
- Executions recorded in 2025
- 2,156
- First news item in the archive
- JANUARY 1, 1999 · The 1999 figures for capital sentences and executions...
- News items in the archive
- 9,218
Source: Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026.
Iran is classified as Retentionist in the Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026. In 2026 the association recorded 869 executions in the country, against 2,156 the year before. The archive holds 9,218 news items on Iran, from 1999 to today.
Iran is one of the countries where the association records the highest number of executions each year. The usual method is hanging, and capital punishment applies to a wide list of offences: murder, drug offences, offences against state security, sexual offences, and charges such as moharebeh, enmity against God, which allow very broad application.
Many executions are never announced. They emerge from local sources, from human rights organisations and from families. For Iran, more than anywhere else, the archive's count is a documented minimum.
Latest news
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On charges of “anti-security” activities
MARCH 14, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hengaw Report on 14th day of war
War toll reaches 4,900, including 480 civilians
MARCH 14, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 15th day of war
Attacks on Isfahan
MARCH 13, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 14th day of war
Nearly 6,000 Attacks Recorded Nationwide
MARCH 12, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - More than 100 security forces killed in Sanandaj
Iranian media have so far refrained from reporting these casualties
MARCH 12, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 13th day of war
More Than Three Million Displaced
MARCH 12, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report: 195 Arrested on Espionage Allegations
For posting videos on social media
MARCH 11, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 12th day of war
39 Percent of Strikes Concentrated in Tehran
MARCH 10, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hengaw Report on 10th day of war
At least 4,300 killed, including 390 civilians
MARCH 10, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - IHR Report on arrests of activists during the war
MARCH 10, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Human Rights Violations Under Ali Khamenei (3)
MARCH 10, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 11th day of war
Tragedy on Resalat Highway
MARCH 9, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Human Rights Violations Under Ali Khamenei (2)
MARCH 9, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 10th day of war
Extensive Damage to Isfahan’s Historical Sites
MARCH 8, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 9th day of war
Polluted Air and Black Rain in Tehran
MARCH 8, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hengaw report on violations of women’s rights
At least 250 women killed during the January protests
MARCH 7, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Sociologist and civil activist Qorban Abbasi arrested
MARCH 7, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - IRGC arms civilian groups, inciting one ethnic group against another
MARCH 7, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Collateral victims: 4 in Marivan
Mitra Jalilavi, Karen Bazargan, Farzad Bazargan + 1
MARCH 7, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 8th day of war
Roar of Explosions Across 30 Provinces of the Country
MARCH 7, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Military deployment at hospital puts patients and staff at risk
IRGC on the roof of Kawsar Hospital in Sanandaj
MARCH 7, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 7th day of war
Relentless Explosions in Tehran
MARCH 6, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Collateral victims: 3 in Bukan
Shayan Mam Salimi, Ardalan Pakdel, Peyman Erfani
MARCH 5, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Sanandaj and Marivan detention centres hit
Detainees escaped with guards' weapons
MARCH 5, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 6th day of war
170 Strikes in 19 Provinces
MARCH 4, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hengaw Report on 6th day of war
At least 2,400 killed, including 310 civilians
MARCH 4, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 5th day of war
Expansion of Areas Affected by Military Strikes
MARCH 3, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 4th day of war
Strikes Continue in Western Regions of the Country
MARCH 3, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Human Rights Violations Under Ali Khamenei (1)
MARCH 2, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on the 3rd Day of war
Rising Casualties and Intensified Strikes in Tehran and Western Provinces