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
- 9,164
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 9,164 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 14, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER EXECUTED IN KERMANSHAH CENTRAL PRISON FOR MURDER
According to Iran Human Rights, a prisoner was executed in Kermanshah Central Prison on the morning of 12 July 2020.
- 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 13, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MAN EXECUTED IN GORGAN CENTRAL PRISON FOR MURDER
According to the HRANA news agency, a man was executed in Gorgan Central Prison on the morning of 9 July 2020. The identity of the prisoner has been established as Baset Seyedi, 43, from Bandar Torkaman.
- JULY 12, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - 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 12, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: UNIDENTIFIED PRISONER EXECUTED IN MASHHAD CENTRAL PRISON FOR DRINKING ALCOHOL
A prisoner was executed in Mashhad Central Prison on 9 July 2020 for drinking alcohol.
- 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 PENALTY
IRAN - 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 8, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE MEN EXECUTED IN RAJAI SHAHR PRISON
According to Iranian Human Rights, at least three prisoners - Mostafa Mohammadi, Milad Kheradmand and Hossein Jalalvand - were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj on the morning of 1 July 2020.
JULY 7, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - 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 PENALTYIRAN - 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 PENALTY
IRAN - 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.
JULY 1, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: DEATH SENTENCE ISSUED FOR OPPOSITION JOURNALIST
Ruhollah Zam, a journalist, has been sentenced to death for “corruption on earth”, Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili announced on 30 June 2020.
- JUNE 30, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - 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 PENALTY
IRAN - 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 30, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: EIGHT MORE PROTESTERS SENTENCED TO DEATH
The Head of the Justice Department of Isfahan Province on 26 June 2020 said eight individuals have been sentenced for "corruption on earth", a charge carrying the death sentence according to Iran's Islamic Penal Code, the state-run Quds Online reported.
- 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.