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
JUNE 30, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Higher Mortality Rate In Iran This Year Raises Doubt Over Official COVID Numbers.
IRAN - Higher Mortality Rate In Iran This Year Raises Doubt Over Official COVID Numbers.
JUNE 30, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Mohammad Aziz Mahmoudi executed in Sanandaj Prison on June 30, 2020
IRAN - Mohammad Aziz Mahmoudi executed in Sanandaj Prison on June 30, 2020
JUNE 30, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Ruhollah Zam, a journalist, has been sentenced to death.
IRAN - Ruhollah Zam, a journalist, has been sentenced to death.
JUNE 30, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Deep Concern Over Fate of Ali Younesi and Amir Hossein Moradi
IRAN - Deep Concern Over Fate of Ali Younesi and Amir Hossein Moradi
- JUNE 30, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Yousef Rahmani executed on June 30 in Zanjan Central Prison.
IRAN - Yousef Rahmani executed on June 30 in Zanjan Central Prison.
- JUNE 29, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Seyyed Yahya Mousavi Aghche executed in Isfahan Prison on June 29, 2020.
IRAN - Seyyed Yahya Mousavi Aghche executed in Isfahan Prison on June 29, 2020.
JUNE 29, 2020United StatesDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Prosecutor In Iran Claims He Has Issued An Arrest Warrant For Trump.
IRAN - Prosecutor In Iran Claims He Has Issued An Arrest Warrant For Trump.
- JUNE 28, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Mohammad Yazdani executed on June 28 in Rajai Shahr prison
IRAN - Mohammad Yazdani executed on June 28 in Rajai Shahr prison
- JUNE 27, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Sajjad Sadeghi, a radio presenter, was lashed 74 times on June 27 for disclosing information on corruption of MP
IRAN - Sajjad Sadeghi, a radio presenter, was lashed 74 times on June 27 for disclosing information on corruption of MP
- JUNE 27, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Karim Alizadeh was executed on June 27 in Rajai Shahr prison
IRAN - Karim Alizadeh was executed on June 27 in Rajai Shahr prison
- JUNE 26, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Eight more Iranian protesters sentenced to death.
IRAN - Eight more Iranian protesters sentenced to death.
JUNE 24, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - More information on the execution of Hedayat Abdollahpour: he was shot by a firing squad
IRAN - More information on the execution of Hedayat Abdollahpour: he was shot by a firing squad
- JUNE 24, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on June 24, the Coronavirus death toll is 60,700.
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on June 24, the Coronavirus death toll is 60,700.
JUNE 24, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Death sentences of Amir-Hossein Moradi, Saeed Tamjidi and Mohammad Rajabi upheld
IRAN - Death sentences of Amir-Hossein Moradi, Saeed Tamjidi and Mohammad Rajabi upheld
- JUNE 19, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Former Iranian corrupted judge was found dead in Romania
IRAN - Former Iranian corrupted judge was found dead in Romania
- JUNE 18, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Somayeh Fathi, 18-year-old, was killed by her brothers and father on June 18 for so-called honour killing
IRAN - Somayeh Fathi, 18-year-old, was killed by her brothers and father on June 18 for so-called honour killing
- JUNE 18, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A prisoner, not identified, was reportedly hanged on June 18
IRAN - A prisoner, not identified, was reportedly hanged on June 18
- JUNE 18, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Seyed Kamal Hosseini tortured to death, but father was forced to sign the death off as coronavirus
IRAN - Seyed Kamal Hosseini tortured to death, but father was forced to sign the death off as coronavirus
- JUNE 17, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Two more "honor killings" of young women
IRAN - Two more "honor killings" of young women
JUNE 17, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Ali Arjangi, who was under 18 at the time of the crime, may be executed shortly.
IRAN - Ali Arjangi, who was under 18 at the time of the crime, may be executed shortly.
- JUNE 17, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on June 17, 2020, Coronavirus death toll is 52,800.
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on June 17, 2020, Coronavirus death toll is 52,800.
JUNE 17, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Omid Hashem-Zehi was executed at Zahedan prison on June 17.
IRAN - Omid Hashem-Zehi was executed at Zahedan prison on June 17.
JUNE 16, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Political prisoner Narges Mohammadi suffers for witnessing execution.
IRAN - Political prisoner Narges Mohammadi suffers for witnessing execution.
JUNE 16, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Considerable number of women in Mashhad summoned and detained for removing Hijab
IRAN - Considerable number of women in Mashhad summoned and detained for removing Hijab
- JUNE 16, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Yasser Abdollahzadeh hanged on June 16 at the central prison of Shiraz city
IRAN - Yasser Abdollahzadeh hanged on June 16 at the central prison of Shiraz city
JUNE 15, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Iraj Sedighi was hanged at Ardabil prison on June 15.
IRAN - Iraj Sedighi was hanged at Ardabil prison on June 15.
- JUNE 11, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A man was hanged in public in Firuraq on June 11.
IRAN - A man was hanged in public in Firuraq on June 11.
- JUNE 10, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Execution of Mola Nasrollah Narooyi, who was not sentenced to death.
IRAN - Execution of Mola Nasrollah Narooyi, who was not sentenced to death.
JUNE 10, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Rahin Yousefi hanged at Ormiyeh prison on June 10
IRAN - Rahin Yousefi hanged at Ormiyeh prison on June 10
JUNE 10, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Five death-row prisoners were hanged on June 10 at Rajai Shahr prison.
IRAN - Five death-row prisoners were hanged on June 10 at Rajai Shahr prison.