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
MARCH 20, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SUPREME LEADER TO PARDON 10,000 INCLUDING POLITICAL PRISONERS
The Spokesman of Iran’s Judiciary on 19 March 2020 said Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will pardon about 10,000 prisoners “more than half of who are serving security-related jail terms”.
MARCH 19, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Official Coronavirus Death Toll Now Up To 1,284.
IRAN - Official Coronavirus Death Toll Now Up To 1,284.
MARCH 19, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Iran Frees U.S. Navy Veteran Michael White on Humanitarian Grounds.
IRAN - Iran Frees U.S. Navy Veteran Michael White on Humanitarian Grounds.
- MARCH 18, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Supreme Leader To Pardon 10,000
IRAN - Supreme Leader To Pardon 10,000
MARCH 18, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Human rights lawyer Soheila Hejab sentenced to 18 years in prison.
IRAN - Human rights lawyer Soheila Hejab sentenced to 18 years in prison.
MARCH 18, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Soheyla Hijab, a lawyer and civil activist, sentenced to 18 years.
IRAN - Soheyla Hijab, a lawyer and civil activist, sentenced to 18 years.
MARCH 15, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 60-YEAR-OLD HOSSEIN KACHANLOO AND 70-YEAR-OLD ABDULLAH MOHAMMADZADEH HANGED AT THE PRISON OF URMIA
Hossein Kachanloo and Abdullah Mohammadzadeh were hanged on 12 March 2020 at the central prison of Urmia, West Azerbaijan province.
- MARCH 13, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - According to Al-Arabia, Iran coronavirus toll reaches 514 deaths, 11,364 infections.
IRAN - According to Al-Arabia, Iran coronavirus toll reaches 514 deaths, 11,364 infections.
- MARCH 13, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - As of March 13, the death toll of the coronavirus outbreak is 4,000, according to PMOI/MEK sources.
IRAN - As of March 13, the death toll of the coronavirus outbreak is 4,000, according to PMOI/MEK sources.
- MARCH 12, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - As of March 12, over 3,650 people have died of the coronavirus. (PMOI/MEK)
IRAN - As of March 12, over 3,650 people have died of the coronavirus. (PMOI/MEK)
- MARCH 12, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - 2 prisoners, not identified, were reportedly hanged on March 12
IRAN - 2 prisoners, not identified, were reportedly hanged on March 12
- MARCH 12, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Hossein Kachanloo and Abdullah Mohammadzadeh hanged on March 12, at the prison of Urmia
IRAN - Hossein Kachanloo and Abdullah Mohammadzadeh hanged on March 12, at the prison of Urmia
- MARCH 11, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Unknown prisoner hanged on March 11 at the central prison of Tabriz
IRAN - Unknown prisoner hanged on March 11 at the central prison of Tabriz
- MARCH 11, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Alireza Sa’daei was hanged at Zanjan prison on March 11.
IRAN - Alireza Sa’daei was hanged at Zanjan prison on March 11.
- MARCH 11, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A prisoner, identified as Amir Saadai, was reportedly hanged on March 11
IRAN - A prisoner, identified as Amir Saadai, was reportedly hanged on March 11
- MARCH 10, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Coronavirus Fatalities Exceed 2,600
IRAN - Coronavirus Fatalities Exceed 2,600
- MARCH 10, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - March 10, 2020, marks the 117th day since the beginning of the nationwide "November protests".
IRAN - March 10, 2020, marks the 117th day since the beginning of the nationwide "November protests".
MARCH 10, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 70 THOUSAND PRISONERS RELEASED IN THE MIDST OF CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY
Iran grants “furloughs” to around 70,000 inmates in the midst of the coronavirus emergency.
- MARCH 9, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Coronavirus: 70 thousand prisoners released.
IRAN - Coronavirus: 70 thousand prisoners released.
- MARCH 9, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Sirous Assadi was executed at Zanjan prison on March 9.
IRAN - Sirous Assadi was executed at Zanjan prison on March 9.
MARCH 6, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Rouhani Complains About The Mek Exposing The Regime's Cover-Up Of The Coronavirus Death Toll.
IRAN - Rouhani Complains About The Mek Exposing The Regime's Cover-Up Of The Coronavirus Death Toll.
- MARCH 6, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: MAN HANGED FOR MURDER COMMITTED WHEN HE WAS MINOR
According to Iran Human Rights sources, death-row prisoner Amir Mohammadpour (Mahmoud Pour) was hanged on 1st March 2020 at Urmia Central Prison (also known as Darya prison).
- MARCH 5, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - More than 1,500 people in 74 cities across Iran have died of the coronavirus
IRAN - More than 1,500 people in 74 cities across Iran have died of the coronavirus
- MARCH 4, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Award-winning filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof summoned to prison.
IRAN - Award-winning filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof summoned to prison.
- MARCH 4, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 54,000 PRISONERS TEMPORARILY RELEASED TO CONTAIN THE NEW CORONAVIRUS IN CROWDED JAILS
Iran has temporarily released more than 54,000 prisoners in an effort to combat the spread of the new coronavirus disease in crowded jails.
- MARCH 3, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Iran has temporarily released more than 54,000 prisoners to contain the new coronavirus in crowded jails.
IRAN - Iran has temporarily released more than 54,000 prisoners to contain the new coronavirus in crowded jails.
- MARCH 1, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Amir Mohammadpour hanged on March 1 at Urmia prison for a murder committed at 17
IRAN - Amir Mohammadpour hanged on March 1 at Urmia prison for a murder committed at 17
- FEBRUARY 29, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A film by an Iranian director about capital punishment has won the top prize at the Berlin International Film Festival.
IRAN - A film by an Iranian director about capital punishment has won the top prize at the Berlin International Film Festival.
FEBRUARY 29, 2020IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - "Hamid" was hanged at Ghezel-Hesar Prison of Karaj the last week of February.
IRAN - "Hamid" was hanged at Ghezel-Hesar Prison of Karaj the last week of February.
- FEBRUARY 29, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Ahmad Mahrokhi was hanged on February 29, 2020, at the prison of Shirvan city.
IRAN - Ahmad Mahrokhi was hanged on February 29, 2020, at the prison of Shirvan city.