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
- 8,610
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 8,610 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
JULY 5, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - 16-year-old girl Shakiba Bakhtiar Murdered by Father in Honour Killing
By law, this will be considered a "minor offense"
JULY 5, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Edris Gargij (Arbabzehi) executed in Zahedan Prison on July 5
For murder
JULY 5, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Ali P. executed in Mashhad Prison on July 5
crime unknown
- JULY 4, 2021IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Khezr Ghavidel acquitted after execution
Relatives always insisted on the irregularities of the trial
JULY 4, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Anvar Abdollahi, Baha-oddin and Davood Ghasemzadeh executed in Urmia
On July 4, for murder
JULY 4, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - 2 men executed in Shiraz prison on July 4th
One of them identified as "Jahani"
- JULY 3, 2021IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - The trial of Ali Younesi and Amir Hossein Moradi was held on July 3
Young scientists accused of links with the opposition
JULY 3, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Nasser Azmoudeh and Shahriar Amiri executed in Urmia on July 3
For drugs
JULY 1, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Khamenei Appoints Mohseni-Eje’i as Judiciary Chief
Had a direct role in almost all crimes and executions in the past 42 years
- JUNE 30, 2021IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Mohammad Taher Soleimani executed in Mahabad Prison on June 30
For drugs
- JUNE 30, 2021IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Azim Karimizayi executed in Mashhad Prison on June 30
For drugs
- JUNE 30, 2021IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A man, identified only as A. A., executed in Mashhad Prison on June 30
For killing his wife
JUNE 30, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Death row juvenile offender Ali Arjangi pays diya
Escapes execution
JUNE 30, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - A man, identified only as “M.”, executed in Mashhad Prison on June 30
For murder
JUNE 29, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Urgent Action To Save Hossein Kheiri
A Political Prisoner Sentenced To Death
- JUNE 26, 2021IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Abdulhamid Ghanbarzehi and another man executed in Zahedan Prison on June 26
For murder
JUNE 26, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Raisi must be held accountable for torturing prisoners
On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
JUNE 26, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Ayatollah Khamenei grants clemency to 5,100 prisoners
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
- JUNE 26, 2021IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Hashem Torabi executed in Zahedan Prison on June 26
For murder
- JUNE 23, 2021IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights severely criticises Iran
Michelle Bachelet at a session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva
- JUNE 22, 2021IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Tehran slams UN report on human rights violations.
Blames US for inspiring it
JUNE 21, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Habib Rezaei executed in Salmas Prison on June 21
For murder
JUNE 20, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Ramin Saadat-Beiglou executed in Qazvin Prison on June 20
For murder
- JUNE 9, 2021IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Bill Targeting Citizen Journalists Passed Parliamentary Judiciary Commission
Spreading inforrmation seen as "espionage"
JUNE 9, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Unidentified man hanged on June 9
In Rajai Shahr Prison, for murder
JUNE 7, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Political Prisoner Sasan Niknafas died in custody
IHR Holds Islamic Republic Leaders Responsible
JUNE 6, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Shahin Mirkhani executed in Shirvan Prison on June 6
For drugs
JUNE 2, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Ebrahim Ahmadi executed on 2 June in Tabriz Prison
For murder
MAY 31, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Sexual abuse and harassment systematically to break the will of incarcerated women
May 27 group discussion on the Clubhouse social-media app
MAY 30, 2021IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - French tourist Benjamin Berier indicted on espionage charges
Another iranian case of hostage taking