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
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 PENALTYIRAN - 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.
- NOVEMBER 13, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Mohamad Rasool Chawlaki hanged on 13 November in Ilam prison.
IRAN - Mohamad Rasool Chawlaki hanged on 13 November in Ilam prison.
- NOVEMBER 13, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: AUTHORITIES CUT OFF A MAN'S HAND FOR STEALING
Iranian authorities have amputated one hand of a prisoner who was charged with stealing.
NOVEMBER 12, 2019IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: OFFICIAL SAYS 15,000 EXECUTED FOR DRUG OFFENSES SINCE 1979
The secretary of a religious watchdog office in Iran has admitted that since the establishment of the Islamic Republic 4 decades ago (1979), the authorities have executed 15,000 people for drug-related crimes.
- NOVEMBER 12, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - UN Human Rights Council Urges Iran Regime to End Torture, Execution of Minors and Discrimination Against Women
IRAN - UN Human Rights Council Urges Iran Regime to End Torture, Execution of Minors and Discrimination Against Women
- NOVEMBER 12, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A prisoner, not identified, was executed on November 12, at Lakan Prison, in Rasht.
IRAN - A prisoner, not identified, was executed on November 12, at Lakan Prison, in Rasht.
- NOVEMBER 12, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Two prisoners, Jassem Heidari and Jamshid Torkashvand, were executed at Tohid Prison (in Bandar Abbas) on November 12.
IRAN - Two prisoners, Jassem Heidari and Jamshid Torkashvand, were executed at Tohid Prison (in Bandar Abbas) on November 12.
- NOVEMBER 11, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Iranian Women Have the Highest Suicide Rate in the Middle East.
IRAN - Iranian Women Have the Highest Suicide Rate in the Middle East.
- NOVEMBER 10, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Hossein Arasteh and Rashed Afrouz hanged on November 10 at Lakan Prison in Rasht
IRAN - Hossein Arasteh and Rashed Afrouz hanged on November 10 at Lakan Prison in Rasht
- NOVEMBER 8, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - The United Nations Human Rights Council discussed the Iran case.
IRAN - The United Nations Human Rights Council discussed the Iran case.
- NOVEMBER 6, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Bagher Azimi was hanged on November 6
IRAN - Bagher Azimi was hanged on November 6
- NOVEMBER 5, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Unidentified man hanged at Ardabil prison on November 5.
IRAN - Unidentified man hanged at Ardabil prison on November 5.
- NOVEMBER 5, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Mohammad Doosti hanged on 5 November at Tabriz Central Prison.
IRAN - Mohammad Doosti hanged on 5 November at Tabriz Central Prison.
- NOVEMBER 5, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Karam Sedghi hanged at the central prison of Borujerd city on November 5.
IRAN - Karam Sedghi hanged at the central prison of Borujerd city on November 5.
- NOVEMBER 5, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - A former Iranian political prisoner criticizes Western democracies and the United Nations for their inactivity.
IRAN - A former Iranian political prisoner criticizes Western democracies and the United Nations for their inactivity.
- NOVEMBER 4, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Hossein Asgari hanged at Shiraz Central Prison on November 4.
IRAN - Hossein Asgari hanged at Shiraz Central Prison on November 4.