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
MARCH 7, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 12 PRISONERS HANGED IN KARAJ
At least a dozen prisoners were hanged in Ghessel Hessar prison in Karaj, reported the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
- MARCH 4, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
The Iranian regime hanged six Sunni political prisoners early in the morning despite international calls to
The Iranian regime hanged six Sunni political prisoners early in the morning despite international calls to
- MARCH 3, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
One prisoner was hanged publicly in Darab (Southern Iran) early in the morning, reported
One prisoner was hanged publicly in Darab (Southern Iran) early in the morning, reported
- MARCH 3, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the “Human rights activists news agency” (HRANA) 10 prisoners were hanged
According to the “Human rights activists news agency” (HRANA) 10 prisoners were hanged
MARCH 2, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: “AN EYE FOR AN EYE” PUNISHMENT UNDER SHARIA CARRIED OUT KARAJ
A man who was not identified by name was blinded in the left eye in the Rajaishahr prison of Karaj as part
- FEBRUARY 27, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
a prisoner was hanged in the Central Prison of Tabas, reported the Human
a prisoner was hanged in the Central Prison of Tabas, reported the Human
- FEBRUARY 26, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Ardebil, reported the official website
three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Ardebil, reported the official website
FEBRUARY 26, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 7 MEN AND 1 WOMAN EXECUTED
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), on 25th and 26th of February, 7 men and one woman were hanged in prisons of Kerman (Shahab), Bandar Abbas, Jiroft, and Adel Abad in Shiraz.
- FEBRUARY 25, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
Iran hanged two prisoners in public in the western city of Kermanshah.
Iran hanged two prisoners in public in the western city of Kermanshah.
- FEBRUARY 25, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: MAN EXECUTED FOR EXTORTION
a man, identified as Babakhan V., was executed for extortion in the Central Prison of Khoram Abad,
- FEBRUARY 24, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
Four prisoners were hanged in the main prison in the city of Arak, the judiciary’s website in the Central
Four prisoners were hanged in the main prison in the city of Arak, the judiciary’s website in the Central
- FEBRUARY 24, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
Three men identified as “M.R.” (35), “A.Z.” (32) and “R. K.” (34) were hanged in the prison of Rasht,
Three men identified as “M.R.” (35), “A.Z.” (32) and “R. K.” (34) were hanged in the prison of Rasht,
- FEBRUARY 23, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the official website of the Iranian Judiciary in Gilan Province, one prisoner identified as
According to the official website of the Iranian Judiciary in Gilan Province, one prisoner identified as
FEBRUARY 23, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 21 PRISONERS HANGED DURING LAST 48 HOURS
21 prisoners were executed during last 48 hours in three different Iranian prisons, reported the Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA).
FEBRUARY 22, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR DRUG CONVICTS HANGED IN ARAK
four prisoners convicted of drug-related charges were hanged in the prison of Arak, reported the official
FEBRUARY 20, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: JUVENILE OFFENDER SAMAN NASEEM WAS EXECUTED
The Kurdish political prisoner Saman Naseem who was sentenced to death for offences he allegedly
- FEBRUARY 19, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
a 23-year-old prisoner was hanged in the prison of Rajaeeshahr in Karaj, announced the semi-official Javan
a 23-year-old prisoner was hanged in the prison of Rajaeeshahr in Karaj, announced the semi-official Javan
- FEBRUARY 18, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
Three men were hanged in Rajaishahr prison of Karaj (West of Tehran) early in the morning. According to
Three men were hanged in Rajaishahr prison of Karaj (West of Tehran) early in the morning. According to
- FEBRUARY 17, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
eight prisoners were hanged in different Iranian cities. A group of six were hanged in Karaj’s Gohardasht
eight prisoners were hanged in different Iranian cities. A group of six were hanged in Karaj’s Gohardasht
- FEBRUARY 16, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
At least 14 prisoners were hanged in the cities of Bam, Uromiyeh and Bandar Abbas. A group of six
At least 14 prisoners were hanged in the cities of Bam, Uromiyeh and Bandar Abbas. A group of six
- FEBRUARY 15, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
The Iranian regime hanged six prisoners in two prisons in the southern cities of Shiraz and Kerman. A group
The Iranian regime hanged six prisoners in two prisons in the southern cities of Shiraz and Kerman. A group
- FEBRUARY 14, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
Two Baluchi prisoners were hanged in the main prison in the southeastern city of Chabahar after spending
Two Baluchi prisoners were hanged in the main prison in the southeastern city of Chabahar after spending
- FEBRUARY 14, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
a prisoner was hanged in the main prison of Rasht, announced the Gilan province’s judiciary.
a prisoner was hanged in the main prison of Rasht, announced the Gilan province’s judiciary.
- FEBRUARY 3, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 2 PRISONERS HANGED IN ORUMIEH PRISON
- JANUARY 28, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
The state run Iranian news agency Fars reported an execution in Tehran today. The prisoner
The state run Iranian news agency Fars reported an execution in Tehran today. The prisoner
- JANUARY 28, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
The official Iranian news agency IRNA reported that a man was hanged in public early this morning in the
The official Iranian news agency IRNA reported that a man was hanged in public early this morning in the
- JANUARY 26, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: THREE PRISONERS HANGED IN HAMADAN
Three prisoners were hanged in Hamadan (western Iran) reported the official website of Iranian Judiciary in Hamadan.
- JANUARY 25, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
twelve prisoners were hanged in two Iranian prisons for drug related charges, Iran Human Rights reported.
twelve prisoners were hanged in two Iranian prisons for drug related charges, Iran Human Rights reported.
- JANUARY 24, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
seven prisoners with drug-related charges were executed in the courtyard of Minab prison, reported
seven prisoners with drug-related charges were executed in the courtyard of Minab prison, reported
- JANUARY 21, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
A group of five prisoners were hanged in Adelabad Prison in southern city of Shiraz. That has not been
A group of five prisoners were hanged in Adelabad Prison in southern city of Shiraz. That has not been