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
- MAY 21, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
two more people have escaped death by hanging, after they were pardoned by victims’ families. A murder
two more people have escaped death by hanging, after they were pardoned by victims’ families. A murder
- MAY 20, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
A 40-year old prisoner was hanged in the prison of Mashhad, reported the newspaper
A 40-year old prisoner was hanged in the prison of Mashhad, reported the newspaper
MAY 19, 2014IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: AT LEAST FIVE PRISONERS HANGED
Five prisoners, charged with murder, were hanged in the Rajaishahr prison of Karaj early in the morning, according to reliable sources Iran Human Rights (IHR) has been in contact with.
- MAY 18, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
Ten prisoners were hanged in the prison of Kerman (Southeastern Iran) early this morning, reported the
Ten prisoners were hanged in the prison of Kerman (Southeastern Iran) early this morning, reported the
- MAY 17, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
two prisoners were hanged on charge of drug trafficking in Zahedan Prison, reported the Human Rights
two prisoners were hanged on charge of drug trafficking in Zahedan Prison, reported the Human Rights
- MAY 17, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
Fars news agency reported about the execution of four prisoners in the prison of Qazvin (West of Tehran).
Fars news agency reported about the execution of four prisoners in the prison of Qazvin (West of Tehran).
- MAY 15, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Semnan (northern Iran) early this morning reported
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Semnan (northern Iran) early this morning reported
- MAY 13, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
According to unofficial sources four prisoners were hanged in the prison of Urmia (West Azerbaijan,
According to unofficial sources four prisoners were hanged in the prison of Urmia (West Azerbaijan,
- MAY 12, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
A group of 9 prisoners were hanged in a prison of Ahvaz. The victims, who had been all accused of drug
A group of 9 prisoners were hanged in a prison of Ahvaz. The victims, who had been all accused of drug
- MAY 10, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
May 10, 2014: Two prisoners were hanged in central prison of Zahedan, Iran.
May 10, 2014: Two prisoners were hanged in central prison of Zahedan, Iran.
- MAY 10, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
A woman was hanged in Rajai Shahr Prison of Karaj, Iran.
A woman was hanged in Rajai Shahr Prison of Karaj, Iran.
- MAY 9, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
A group of 11 prisoners including a woman were hanged in Ghezel Hesar prison of Karaj.
A group of 11 prisoners including a woman were hanged in Ghezel Hesar prison of Karaj.
- MAY 8, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qom (south of Tehran) early this morning, reported the official
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qom (south of Tehran) early this morning, reported the official
- MAY 8, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
The official Iranian news agency IRNA also reported about a public execution in Saveh (
The official Iranian news agency IRNA also reported about a public execution in Saveh (
- MAY 8, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Bandar Abbas according to unofficial reports. According
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Bandar Abbas according to unofficial reports. According
- MAY 7, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
A prisoner was hanged in the prison of Maragheh (northwestern Iran). The local news
A prisoner was hanged in the prison of Maragheh (northwestern Iran). The local news
- MAY 7, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
A man identified as “Gh. R.” was hanged in the prison of Sanandaj (Iranian Kurdistan
A man identified as “Gh. R.” was hanged in the prison of Sanandaj (Iranian Kurdistan
- MAY 7, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
A Kurdish prisoner from Orumieh was executed in the city of Hamadan, reported the National
A Kurdish prisoner from Orumieh was executed in the city of Hamadan, reported the National
MAY 6, 2014IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: AFGHAN JUVENILE EXECUTED FOR DRUG-RELATED CHARGES
According to reports by sources in Afghanistan a juvenile offender has recently been executed in Iran. The Dari section of Radio Liberty (Radio Azadi), reported that a 15 year old Afghan boy identified as Jannat Mir was among the six Afghan citizens who w
- MAY 5, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
one man was executed in the prison of Semnan (northern Iran), the official website of the
one man was executed in the prison of Semnan (northern Iran), the official website of the
- MAY 5, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
A group of five prisoners were hanged in the central prison of Kerman, reported the
A group of five prisoners were hanged in the central prison of Kerman, reported the
- MAY 3, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
two people, who were not identified by name, were executed in the Central Prison of Mashhad
two people, who were not identified by name, were executed in the Central Prison of Mashhad
- MAY 1, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
Three prisoners were hanged in the Vakilabad prison of Mashhad (Northeastern Iran) reported the Iranian
Three prisoners were hanged in the Vakilabad prison of Mashhad (Northeastern Iran) reported the Iranian
- MAY 1, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Bandar Abbas early this morning, reported the Human Rights
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Bandar Abbas early this morning, reported the Human Rights
- MAY 1, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
The mullahs’ regime sent two inmates to the gallows in prisons in the cities of Zahedan (southeastern Iran)
The mullahs’ regime sent two inmates to the gallows in prisons in the cities of Zahedan (southeastern Iran)
- APRIL 28, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 'BLOOD MONEY' SAVED 358 FROM DEATH PENALTY
Iran’s Prosecutor General Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie said the payment of "blood money" spared 358
APRIL 26, 2014IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MAN HANGED PUBLICLY IN SEMNAN OVER RAPE CHARGES
one prisoner was hanged publicly in Semnan, reported the official website of the Iranian Judiciary in Semnan
APRIL 26, 2014IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 3 MEN CONVICTED OF KILLING PROSECUTOR HANGED
three men convicted of killing an Iranian prosecutor were executed publicly in Zabol, IRNA reported. Omid
APRIL 25, 2014IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 4 KURDISH POLITICAL PRISONERS SENTENCED TO DEATH
The Iranian regime’s ‘Supreme Court’ upheld the death sentence for four Kurdish
APRIL 24, 2014IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED FOR MURDER
two prisoners were hanged in Iran early this morning.