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
- APRIL 21, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Reporters Without Borders: Iran Among Worst Violators Of Journalists' Rights
IRAN - Reporters Without Borders: Iran Among Worst Violators Of Journalists' Rights
APRIL 21, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - European Union on the execution of Shayan Saeedpour
IRAN - European Union on the execution of Shayan Saeedpour
APRIL 21, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Shahram Baygan was hanged in Tabriz Central Prison.
IRAN - Shahram Baygan was hanged in Tabriz Central Prison.
APRIL 20, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on April 20, 2020 the Coronavirus fatalities in Iran have exceeded 32,800.
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK, on April 20, 2020 the Coronavirus fatalities in Iran have exceeded 32,800.
APRIL 20, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MAN HANGED AT HAMADAN PRISON FOR MURDER CHARGES
According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), a man was hanged on 15 April 2020 at Alvand, the central prison of Hamadan city.
- APRIL 18, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Majid Esmaeilzadeh, a minor at the time of the crime, was hanged on April 18 at the central prison of Ardabil.
IRAN - Majid Esmaeilzadeh, a minor at the time of the crime, was hanged on April 18 at the central prison of Ardabil.
- APRIL 18, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Iran Easing Quarantine Guidelines as Death Toll Surges to 31,500.
IRAN - Iran Easing Quarantine Guidelines as Death Toll Surges to 31,500.
APRIL 18, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Names, Pictures of Prisoners Killed in Ahvaz Prison Riots.
IRAN - Names, Pictures of Prisoners Killed in Ahvaz Prison Riots.
APRIL 18, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Mohammad Javanmard executed in Khorramabad Central Prison on April 18, 2020.
IRAN - Mohammad Javanmard executed in Khorramabad Central Prison on April 18, 2020.
APRIL 16, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - IHR Report: the "Revolutionary Courts".
IRAN - IHR Report: the "Revolutionary Courts".
- APRIL 16, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Hossein Taheri was hanged in Khalkhal city, on April 16.
IRAN - Hossein Taheri was hanged in Khalkhal city, on April 16.
- APRIL 15, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Amir Hossein Zandi hanged in Hamedan Central Prison on April 15, 2020.
IRAN - Amir Hossein Zandi hanged in Hamedan Central Prison on April 15, 2020.
- APRIL 15, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A man was hanged at Hamadan prison on April 15
IRAN - A man was hanged at Hamadan prison on April 15
- APRIL 15, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN EXECUTIONS 2019: QISAS AND FORGIVENESS
The 12th annual Report on the death penalty by Iran Human Rights (IHR) and ECPM (Together Against the Death Penalty) provides an assessment of the abolitionist movement within Iran, including the forgiveness movement and its contribution to limiting the u
APRIL 14, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: POLITICAL PRISONER MOSTAFA SALIMI EXECUTED
Political prisoner Mostafa Salimi was executed at Saqqez prison, Iranian province of Kurdistan, on 11 April 2020.
- APRIL 11, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Political prisoner Mostafa Salimi was executed at Saqqez prison on April 11, 2020.
IRAN - Political prisoner Mostafa Salimi was executed at Saqqez prison on April 11, 2020.
- APRIL 9, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - 50 political prisoners infected with coronavirus in Urmia Central Prison.
IRAN - 50 political prisoners infected with coronavirus in Urmia Central Prison.
- APRIL 8, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - PMOI/MEK announced today, April 8, 2020, that the Coronavirus fatalities have exceeded 22,000
IRAN - PMOI/MEK announced today, April 8, 2020, that the Coronavirus fatalities have exceeded 22,000
- APRIL 8, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - IHR Report: Executions for Drug Related Charges In 2019.
IRAN - IHR Report: Executions for Drug Related Charges In 2019.
- APRIL 7, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - PMOI/MEK announced today, April 7, 2020, that the Coronavirus fatalities have exceeded 20,400
IRAN - PMOI/MEK announced today, April 7, 2020, that the Coronavirus fatalities have exceeded 20,400
- APRIL 7, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - IHR Report: Qisas and Forgiveness
IRAN - Iran Executions 2019: Qisas and Forgiveness
- APRIL 7, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Iran's Official Coronavirus Death Toll Nearing 4,000.
IRAN - Iran's Official Coronavirus Death Toll Nearing 4,000.
APRIL 7, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: DEATH ROW JUVENILE OFFENDER BEATEN TO DEATH BY PRISON GUARDS
Death row juvenile offender Danial Zeinolabedini was beaten to death by prison guards.
- APRIL 6, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - According to Radio Farda, on April 6 Coronavirus deaths are 6,872
IRAN - According to Radio Farda, on April 6 Coronavirus deaths are 6,872
- APRIL 5, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK today, April 5, that the Coronavirus have fatalities exceeded 18,600
IRAN - According to PMOI/MEK today, April 5, that the Coronavirus have fatalities exceeded 18,600
APRIL 4, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - According to KHRN, at least 2,000 Iranian Kurdish civilians and activists were arrested from 21 March 2019 to 21 March 2020.
IRAN - According to KHRN, at least 2,000 Iranian Kurdish civilians and activists were arrested from 21 March 2019 to 21 March 2020.
- APRIL 3, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Radio Farda Estimates 78,000 Infected By Coronavirus, and 5,915 victims.
IRAN - Radio Farda Estimates 78,000 Infected By Coronavirus, and 5,915 victims.
- APRIL 2, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Death row juvenile offender Danial Zeinolabedini beaten to death by prison guards.
IRAN - Death row juvenile offender Danial Zeinolabedini beaten to death by prison guards.
- APRIL 2, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Dozens Killed In Iran Prison Riots.
IRAN - Dozens Killed In Iran Prison Riots.
- APRIL 2, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Iran News Update Report: 297 executions in 2019.
IRAN - Iran News Update Report: 297 executions in 2019.