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
DECEMBER 5, 2019IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Ali Golmohammadi executed at Rajai-Shahr prison on December 4.
IRAN - Ali Golmohammadi executed at Rajai-Shahr prison on December 4.
DECEMBER 4, 2019IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - A woman, Somayyeh Shahbazi Jahrouii, was hanged in Sepidar Prison on December 4.
IRAN - A woman, Somayyeh Shahbazi Jahrouii, was hanged in Sepidar Prison on December 4.
DECEMBER 4, 2019IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Ali Mahmoudpour and Morteza Ashrafi were hanged at Urmia prison on December 4.
IRAN - Ali Mahmoudpour and Morteza Ashrafi were hanged at Urmia prison on December 4.
- DECEMBER 4, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Elias Notizehi hanged at the prison of Zahedan on December 4.
IRAN - Elias Notizehi hanged at the prison of Zahedan on December 4.
DECEMBER 4, 2019ItalyDEATH PENALTYIRAN - HoC and Italian Lawmakers Urge Support for Iran Protests.
IRAN - HoC and Italian Lawmakers Urge Support for Iran Protests.
- DECEMBER 4, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Maybe 2 women hanged on December 4, 2019, in Raja’i Shahr Prison
IRAN - Maybe 2 women hanged on December 4, 2019, in Raja’i Shahr Prison
DECEMBER 3, 2019IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Naser Ilghami hanged at Tabriz Central Prison on December 3.
IRAN - Naser Ilghami hanged at Tabriz Central Prison on December 3.
- DECEMBER 3, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - As of Dec. 3, Death Toll Of Iran Protests Surpasses 1,000; Names of 221 Slain Protesters.
IRAN - As of Dec. 3, Death Toll Of Iran Protests Surpasses 1,000; Names of 221 Slain Protesters.
DECEMBER 3, 2019IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Joint Letter Of Nobel Laureates To The United Nations Secretary-General
IRAN - Joint Letter Of Nobel Laureates To The United Nations Secretary-General
- NOVEMBER 30, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Quran Expert Recommends Torturing Arrested Protesters
IRAN - Quran Expert Recommends Torturing Arrested Protesters
- NOVEMBER 30, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Press Conference In The Italian Parliament
IRAN - Press Conference In The Italian Parliament
- NOVEMBER 28, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - 4 iranian lawyers awarded for Human Rights commitment
- NOVEMBER 28, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Unknown man hanged, maybe in public, in Kerman city on November 28
IRAN - Unknown man hanged, maybe in public, in Kerman city on November 28
- NOVEMBER 28, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Salbi Marandi, 80, received 70 lashes before being sent to prison.
IRAN - Salbi Marandi, 80, received 70 lashes before being sent to prison.
- NOVEMBER 28, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Unidentified man executed in Kerman city on November 28
IRAN - Unidentified man executed in Kerman city on November 28
NOVEMBER 26, 2019IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Iran protests death toll surpasses 450; Names of 154 slain protesters.
IRAN - Iran protests death toll surpasses 450; Names of 154 slain protesters.
NOVEMBER 26, 2019IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Nikta Esfandani 14, among more than 450 slain in the Iran uprising.
IRAN - Nikta Esfandani 14, among more than 450 slain in the Iran uprising.
- NOVEMBER 24, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - On November 24, Mohammad Dabir was executed at Birjand prison
IRAN - On November 24, Mohammad Dabir was executed at Birjand prison
NOVEMBER 23, 2019IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Protests death toll surpasses 300. Names of 85 victims
IRAN - Protests death toll surpasses 300. Names of 85 victims
- NOVEMBER 21, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - UN Experts raise alarm at arrests and reported killings, internet shutdown.
IRAN - UN Experts raise alarm at arrests and reported killings, internet shutdown.
- NOVEMBER 20, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Iran’s leaders have claimed defeat over an “enemy conspiracy”
IRAN - Iran’s leaders have claimed defeat over an “enemy conspiracy”
NOVEMBER 19, 2019IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Death toll of Iran protests exceeds 220 following deadly crackdowns.
IRAN - Death toll of Iran protests exceeds 220 following deadly crackdowns.
NOVEMBER 19, 2019IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Milad Azimi was hanged at the central prison of Zanjan on November 19.
IRAN - Milad Azimi was hanged at the central prison of Zanjan on November 19.
- NOVEMBER 18, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - 103 minors executed since 1990
IRAN - 103 minors executed since 1990
- NOVEMBER 17, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A man, called Javad A, was executed on November 17, 2019 at Vakilabad prison
IRAN - A man, called Javad A, was executed on November 17, 2019 at Vakilabad prison
- NOVEMBER 17, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A man, identified only as "J.", probably a minor, was executed at Vakilabad prison on November 17, 2019.
IRAN - A man, identified only as "J.", probably a minor, was executed at Vakilabad prison on November 17, 2019.
- NOVEMBER 17, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Ebrahim Yar Hosseini was executed at Shiraz prison on November 17.
IRAN - Ebrahim Yar Hosseini was executed at Shiraz prison on November 17.
- NOVEMBER 14, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - UN 66th Condemnation Against Human Rights Violations in Iran.
IRAN - UN 66th Condemnation Against Human Rights Violations in Iran.
- NOVEMBER 14, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Salman Babanzadeh was hanged at Tohid Prison (in Bandar Abbas) on November 14.
IRAN - Salman Babanzadeh was hanged at Tohid Prison (in Bandar Abbas) on November 14.
- NOVEMBER 13, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A man, not identified, hanged at the prison of the city of Bushehr on November 13.
IRAN - A man, not identified, hanged at the prison of the city of Bushehr on November 13.