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
- 9,155
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 9,155 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
- 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 19, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 25 MORE EXECUTIONS
25 more prisoners were hanged in Iran in recent days.
- 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 16, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: NINE PRISONERS EXECUTED IN TWO DAYS
At least nine prisoners have been executed in Iran in two days.
- 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 PENALTYIRAN: 2 PRISONERS HANGED IN ORUMIEH PRISON
- FEBRUARY 3, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: FIVE PRISONERS HANGED IN RASHT AND MASHHAD
- 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 28, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED, ONE OF THEM EXECUTED PUBLICLY FOUR WEEKS AFTER THE ARREST
Two men were executed in Iran today. One of them was hanged publicly in central Iran four weeks after he was arrested.
- 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 26, 2015IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 19 PRISONERS HANGED IN TWO DAYS
19 prisoners have been hanged in Iran in the latest days.
- 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
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 15, 2015IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 12 PRISONERS HANGED IN 5 CITIES
At least a dozen prisoners have been hanged in prisons across Iran since Sunday January 11.
- 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