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
- 9,221
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 9,221 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
JUNE 29, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: DEATH SENTENCES ISSUED FOR 10 INDIVIDUALS IN SOUTHEASTERN PRISON
10 prisoners that have been detained in Zahedan Central Prison (southeastern Iran) for three years in a
JUNE 29, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE MOHAMMAD ALI TAHERI SENTENCED TO DEATH
The Iranian regime has sentenced prisoner of conscience Mohammad Ali Taheri to execution. He is the
JUNE 20, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: WRITER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR APOSTASY
A 23-year-old former nuclear physics student, Hesameddin Farzizadeh, was sentenced to death for
JUNE 16, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 25 PRISONERS WERE HANGED IN GOHARDASHT PRISON, KARAJ, WEST OF TEHRAN
According to reports from inside Iran, 25 prisoners were collectively executed in Gohardash (Rajai Shahr)
- JUNE 14, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: VICTIM’S FAMILY FORGIVES YOUNG KILLER AT GALLOWS
the execution of a 22-year-old man was halted at the very last minute in Arak, the capital of Markazi
JUNE 14, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: KURDISH POLITICAL PRISONER EXECUTED IN MIANDOAB
A well-known Kurdish political prisoner was executed in Miandoab’s Prison, reported the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
- JUNE 13, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED IN RASHT
according to official reports from the Department of Justice in Gilan, two prisoners were
- JUNE 11, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 13 EXECUTIONS, ONE IN PUBLIC
Thirteen prisoners were hanged between 10 and 11 June 2015 in various Iranian cities, including one in public.
JUNE 11, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 6 PRISONERS HANGED IN ORUMIEH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
six prisoners were hanged on charge of drug trafficking in the Central Prison of Orumieh, reported the
JUNE 10, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: AT LEAST 5 PRISONERS HANGED IN GHEZEL HESAR PRISON
At least five prisoners were executed at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj for drug-related crimes, reported the
JUNE 9, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 19 PEOPLE EXECUTED IN TWO DAYS, 3 IN PUBLIC
nineteen people were executed between June 8 and 9, 2015 in six different Iranian cities.
JUNE 9, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 18 PRISONERS EXECUTED FOR DRUG RELATED CRIMES
18 prisoners have been hanged in Iran in the last days for drug related crimes.
- JUNE 8, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
According to reports by reliable sources, 11 prisoners were hanged in the Ghezelhesar prison of Karaj
According to reports by reliable sources, 11 prisoners were hanged in the Ghezelhesar prison of Karaj
- JUNE 6, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
Seven prisoners with drug related charges were hanged in Shiraz.
Seven prisoners with drug related charges were hanged in Shiraz.
- JUNE 1, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
a man who was not identified by name was hanged in public in the city of Jiroft, Iranian state media
a man who was not identified by name was hanged in public in the city of Jiroft, Iranian state media
- JUNE 1, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
four prisoners – Ardalan Rahdar, Mohammad Rashid Rahdar, Habib Rahdar and Shirzad Rashidi – were
four prisoners – Ardalan Rahdar, Mohammad Rashid Rahdar, Habib Rahdar and Shirzad Rashidi – were
- JUNE 1, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: AT LEAST TWELVE PRISONERS HANGED IN KARAJ
at least twelve prisoners were hanged at the Ghezel Hessar Prison in Karaj, reported the National Council
MAY 31, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE EXECUTIONS, ONE HANGED IN PUBLIC
three prisoners were hanged in two different Iranian cities, reported the Iranian state media.
MAY 31, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FIVE PRISONERS HANGED IN TABRIZ
five prisoners were hanged in the Central Prison of Tabriz for drug related crimes, reported the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
MAY 27, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE MEN EXECUTED IN FRONT OF CHILDREN
Three men were hanged in public in Mashhad (northeastern Iran), reported the Iranian state media.
- MAY 25, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 22 PRISONERS EXECUTED AT GHEZELHESAR PRISON IN KARAJ
At least twenty-two prisoners were executed at the Ghezelhesar prison in Karaj between 24 and 25 May, Iran Human Rights reported.
- MAY 23, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 1 EXECUTION, 3 PUBLIC FLOGGINGS
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Ardebil (Northwestern Iran) in the morning, reported the Iranian state media.
MAY 22, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: AT LEAST SEVEN MORE HANGINGS
At least seven prisoners have been hanged in Iran in the last days.
- MAY 20, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
one prisoner identified as A. Kh. was hanged in public in the city of Ghochan. He was convicted of murder
one prisoner identified as A. Kh. was hanged in public in the city of Ghochan. He was convicted of murder
- MAY 20, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
five people were hanged in the Rajaishahr prison of Karaj, reported Iranian state broadcasting
five people were hanged in the Rajaishahr prison of Karaj, reported Iranian state broadcasting
- MAY 19, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
a man identified as Ayoub Torkamani was hanged in the municipality’s soccer field in
a man identified as Ayoub Torkamani was hanged in the municipality’s soccer field in
- MAY 19, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE EXECUTED
Five prisoners were hanged in two Iranian cities in the morning, reported Iranian state media.
MAY 19, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FIVE PRISONERS HANGED IN SHIRAZ
MAY 12, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SEVEN PRISONERS SECRETLY HANGED IN SHIRAZ
In a prison in the southern city of Shiraz, Iranian regime’s henchmen secretly hanged seven prisoners on May 10 and 12.
MAY 9, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FIVE PRISONERS HANGED FOR MURDER
Five prisoners were hanged in two different prisons in Iran in the morning.