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 26, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Ali Abdi and Amirhossein Ghahrian were executed in Urmia on July 26.
IRAN - Ali Abdi and Amirhossein Ghahrian were executed in Urmia on July 26.
JULY 25, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Morteza Refahi executed at Rasht Central Prison on July 25.
IRAN - Morteza Refahi executed at Rasht Central Prison on July 25.
JULY 22, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Kamil Ghaderi-Aghdam has been executed in Naghdeh Prison on July 22.
IRAN - Kamil Ghaderi-Aghdam has been executed in Naghdeh Prison on July 22.
JULY 21, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on July 21 the Coronavirus death toll has increased to 74,200. Government numbers are also high.
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on July 21 the Coronavirus death toll has increased to 74,200. Government numbers are also high.
- JULY 20, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Asad Keshavarz and Amin Safarkesh were executed in Urmia (Orumiyeh) on July 20.
IRAN - Asad Keshavarz and Amin Safarkesh were executed in Urmia (Orumiyeh) on July 20.
JULY 19, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - In what has been perceived as a victory for the social media campaign Supreme Court reconsiders death sentences for Saeed Tamjidi, Mohammad Rajabi and Amirhossein Moradi
IRAN - In what has been perceived as a victory for the social media campaign Supreme Court reconsiders death sentences for Saeed Tamjidi, Mohammad Rajabi and Amirhossein Moradi
JULY 18, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Mahmoud Mousavi Majd executed on July 18 on espionage charges.
IRAN - Mahmoud Mousavi Majd executed on July 18 on espionage charges.
- JULY 15, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Ali Tavousi was executed in Choubindar prison, in Qazvin, on July 15.
IRAN - Ali Tavousi was executed in Choubindar prison, in Qazvin, on July 15.
JULY 15, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Civil Activist Zahra Mohammadi Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison.
IRAN - Civil Activist Zahra Mohammadi Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison.
- JULY 14, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Reza Askari Executed on “Espionage” Charges
IRAN - Reza Askari Executed on “Espionage” Charges
- JULY 14, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Kurdish Political Prisoners Diako Rasoulzadeh and Saber Sheikh-Abdullah Executed in Urmia on July 14.
IRAN - Kurdish Political Prisoners Diako Rasoulzadeh and Saber Sheikh-Abdullah Executed in Urmia on July 14.
- JULY 14, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Majid Choupani was executed in Qazvin Central Prison (Choubindar) on July 14.
IRAN - Majid Choupani was executed in Qazvin Central Prison (Choubindar) on July 14.
- JULY 13, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Mohammad Hadi Dadian was executed in Yasuj Central Prison on July 13.
IRAN - Mohammad Hadi Dadian was executed in Yasuj Central Prison on July 13.
JULY 13, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hossein Reyhani, a young man arrested during the November 2019 uprising, sentenced to death.
IRAN - Hossein Reyhani, a young man arrested during the November 2019 uprising, sentenced to death.
JULY 12, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Farzad Shokri was executed in Kermanshah Central Prison (Dizel Abad) on July 12.
IRAN - Farzad Shokri was executed in Kermanshah Central Prison (Dizel Abad) on July 12.
- JULY 11, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - 3 prisoners were executed in Dastgerd Prison, in Isfahan, on July 11.
IRAN - 3 prisoners were executed in Dastgerd Prison, in Isfahan, on July 11.
JULY 9, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - A second unidentified prisoner was executed in Mashhad Central Prison on July 9.
IRAN - A second unidentified prisoner was executed in Mashhad Central Prison on July 9.
- JULY 9, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Baset Seyedi executed in Gorgan Central Prison on July 9.
IRAN - Baset Seyedi executed in Gorgan Central Prison on July 9.
- JULY 9, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Amirabbas Salehi was executed in Shiraz Central Prison on July 9.
IRAN - Amirabbas Salehi was executed in Shiraz Central Prison on July 9.
JULY 8, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Morteza M. executed in Mashhad Central Prison on July 8 for drinking alcohol.
IRAN - Morteza M. executed in Mashhad Central Prison on July 8 for drinking alcohol.
- JULY 7, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on July 7, 2020, the Coronavirus death toll is 66,900
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on July 7, 2020, the Coronavirus death toll is 66,900
- JULY 7, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Iran COVID Daily Toll Rises To Unprecedented 200, 70 Victims Buried In Tehran.
IRAN - Iran COVID Daily Toll Rises To Unprecedented 200, 70 Victims Buried In Tehran.
- JULY 6, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A prisoner, identified as Ahmad Khan, was reportedly hanged on July 6
IRAN - A prisoner, identified as Ahmad Khan, was reportedly hanged on July 6
JULY 5, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Habib Sobhanifar executed on July 5 in Dehdasht Prison.
IRAN - Habib Sobhanifar executed on July 5 in Dehdasht Prison.
- JULY 4, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Ahmad F. has been executed in Mashhad Central Prison on July 4.
IRAN - Ahmad F. has been executed in Mashhad Central Prison on July 4.
- JULY 4, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - 2 men executed at Rasht Central Prison on July 4.
IRAN - 2 men executed at Rasht Central Prison on July 4.
JULY 2, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Human Rights Activist, Atena Daemi, Sentenced to Further 2 Years and 74 Lashes.
IRAN - Human Rights Activist, Atena Daemi, Sentenced to Further 2 Years and 74 Lashes.
- JULY 1, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - The Iranian regime flogged five political prisoner in June.
IRAN - The Iranian regime flogged five political prisoner in June.
- JULY 1, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Vahid Mirbaloch-Zehi has been executed in Iranshahr Prison on July 1.
IRAN - Vahid Mirbaloch-Zehi has been executed in Iranshahr Prison on July 1.
JULY 1, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Mostafa Mohammadi, Milad Kheradmand and Hossein Jalalvand were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison on July 1.
IRAN - Mostafa Mohammadi, Milad Kheradmand and Hossein Jalalvand were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison on July 1.