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
JANUARY 21, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE PRISONERS HANGED PUBLICLY
Three prisoners were hanged in public in the town of Bonab, reported the Iranian state media. According to
JANUARY 19, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: YOUNG MAN HANGED FOR MURDER
One man was hanged in the prison of Torqabeh (near Mashhad, north-eastern Iran)
JANUARY 17, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO MEN HANGED IN SHIRAZ
Iran hanged two men in public in Shiraz. Many children watched the hanging through
- JANUARY 14, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
A group of five prisoners were hanged in the main prison in the city of Arak (central Iran), while another
A group of five prisoners were hanged in the main prison in the city of Arak (central Iran), while another
- JANUARY 12, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
A group of three men were hanged in the city of Kerman (southern Iran). The prisoners were
A group of three men were hanged in the city of Kerman (southern Iran). The prisoners were
- JANUARY 11, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
Three prisoners were hanged in public in a northeastern town in Iran. The victims identified by their first
Three prisoners were hanged in public in a northeastern town in Iran. The victims identified by their first
- JANUARY 11, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
The state-run media reported the hanging of a man in the main prison in city of Ardakan, identifying him by
The state-run media reported the hanging of a man in the main prison in city of Ardakan, identifying him by
JANUARY 8, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 3 PRISONERS HANGED IN SANANDAJ
Three men were hanged in the Central Prison of Sanandaj.
JANUARY 6, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR PRISONERS HANGED IN ORUMIEH E QAZVIN
four prisoners were executed in two different prisons. Three of them were hanged in the prison of Orumieh,
- JANUARY 4, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: SEVENTEEN PRISONERS HANGED IN NEW YEAR’S FIRST FOUR DAYS
between 1 and 4 January 2015, seventeen prisoners were executed in five different cities, including three in public.
- JANUARY 1, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
- DECEMBER 31, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TWELVE PRISONERS EXECUTED AT THE END OF THE YEAR
- DECEMBER 29, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: SEVEN PRISONERS HANGED IN ORUMIEH PRISON
The Iranian regime’s henchmen hanged a group of seven prisoners in the main prison in
DECEMBER 27, 2014IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 3 PRISONERS HANGED IN ZAHEDAN
Three prisoners were executed in the yard of Central Prison of Zahedan, reported the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
- DECEMBER 25, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 7 PRISONERS HANGED IN SHIRAZ
seven prisoners convicted of drug related crimes were executed in the yard of Adelabad prison in Shiraz,
- DECEMBER 23, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: MAN HANGED IN THE PRISON OF MASHHAD
A 26 year old man was hanged in the prison of Mashhad (Northeastern Iran). The man who was not
- DECEMBER 18, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approved a Resolution expressing deep concern about the
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approved a Resolution expressing deep concern about the
- DECEMBER 17, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
Two inmates were hanged in Adelabad Prison in the city of Shiraz.
Two inmates were hanged in Adelabad Prison in the city of Shiraz.
- DECEMBER 16, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
A prisoner was hanged in the central prison of Qazvin.
A prisoner was hanged in the central prison of Qazvin.
- DECEMBER 14, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
a 44-year-old man accused of trafficking 85 kilograms and 300 grams of heroin and 17 kilograms of opium,
a 44-year-old man accused of trafficking 85 kilograms and 300 grams of heroin and 17 kilograms of opium,
- DECEMBER 14, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
A group of eight prisoners were hanged secretly in Adelabad Prison in the city of Shiraz.
A group of eight prisoners were hanged secretly in Adelabad Prison in the city of Shiraz.
DECEMBER 10, 2014IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: A WOMAN AND 3 OTHER PRISONERS HANGED IN KARAJ AND GHAZVIN
Iran regime hanged 4 prisoners including one woman in Karaj and Ghazvin. Three prisoners were hanged in
- DECEMBER 4, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN CONSIDERS ENDING DEATH PENALTY FOR DRUG OFFENSES
Mohammad Javad Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Human Rights Council, said that Iran is looking to end
- DECEMBER 3, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 7 PRISONERS HANGED AT MASHHAD PRISON
seven prisoners were executed by hanging in the courtyard of Vaki Abad prison in Mashhad for drug-
DECEMBER 2, 2014IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 18 EXECUTIONS FOR DRUG-RELATED CHARGES IN ONE DAY
18 people were executed in three different Iranian prisons, according to unofficial sources. All the prisoners were convicted of drug-related charges and there were two women and one Afghan citizen among them.
- DECEMBER 1, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: JUVENILE OFFENDER HANGED
A youth has been hanged in Iran after being held in prison since his arrest at the age of 14 for accidentally killing a friend, according to information received from Iran.
- NOVEMBER 29, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
two prisoners were hanged in two different Iranian prisons. According to Aftabnews, one man was hanged
two prisoners were hanged in two different Iranian prisons. According to Aftabnews, one man was hanged
- NOVEMBER 29, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: PRISONERS HANGED IN KASHAN AND QUM
A prisoner was hanged in the morning in the main prison in the Iranian city of Qum. Another prisoner was
- NOVEMBER 27, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
according to the FARS, a 20-year-old man was publicly hanged in Joghatai, a town near Mashhad. He was
according to the FARS, a 20-year-old man was publicly hanged in Joghatai, a town near Mashhad. He was
- NOVEMBER 26, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
Two prisoners were hanged in Iran for murder. According to the official website of the Iranian Judiciary in
Two prisoners were hanged in Iran for murder. According to the official website of the Iranian Judiciary in