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
- 8,611
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 8,611 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 22, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: ONE WOMAN FLOGGED 100 TIMES THEN HANGED
According to unofficial sources in Iran, at least one woman was hanged in Gharchak Prison
- MAY 20, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Hamadan (western Iran) today.
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Hamadan (western Iran) today.
MAY 19, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO HANGED FOR SPYING FOR ISRAEL, US
Iran hanged two convicted spies, one found guilty of working for Israel, the other for the United States, the Tehran prosecutor's office announced.
- MAY 18, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the Iranian state broadcasting one prisoner who was not identified by
According to the Iranian state broadcasting one prisoner who was not identified by
MAY 16, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 25 YEAR OLD FATHER OF TWO CHILDREN HANGED PUBLICLY
One man was hanged publicly in Noshahr (northern Iran) for murder.
- MAY 15, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Seven prisoners were hanged in the central Prison of Rasht (Northern Iran) today.
Seven prisoners were hanged in the central Prison of Rasht (Northern Iran) today.
- MAY 15, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Three prisoners were hanged in the Rajai Shahr Prison of Karaj (west of Tehran
Three prisoners were hanged in the Rajai Shahr Prison of Karaj (west of Tehran
- MAY 15, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
five prisoners were executed in two different cities, NCRI reported.
five prisoners were executed in two different cities, NCRI reported.
- MAY 11, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the Iranian state broadcasting a prisoner convicted of rape was hanged
According to the Iranian state broadcasting a prisoner convicted of rape was hanged
- MAY 10, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
The Iranian regime hanged six people in Karoon Prison, in the city of Ahvaz
The Iranian regime hanged six people in Karoon Prison, in the city of Ahvaz
MAY 9, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MURDERER PARDONED WHILE ON GALLOWS
An Iranian man condemned to the gallows for murdering a policeman has been pardoned
- MAY 9, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: FOUR PEOPLE HANGED IN SEMNAN PROVINCE
Four prisoners were hanged in Semnan Province (northern Iran) early this morning reported the Iranian state media.
- MAY 8, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 11 PRISONERS HANGED IN KARAJ
The Iranian regime hanged 11 prisoners in Ghezel Hessar prison in the city of Karaj.
MAY 7, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE PEOPLE EXECUTED IN ISFAHAN
Three people were hanged in the central prison of Isfahan city, Iran.
MAY 6, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE PRISONERS HANGED PUBLICLY AT THE LIBERTY SQUARE OF KERMANSHAH
Three prisoners were hanged in the "Liberty Square" of Kermanshah (western Iran) today. According to the state run Iranian news agency ISNA, the prisoners were all convicted of murder.
MAY 2, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR PRISONERS HANGED IN ARAK
Four prisoners were hanged in the prison of Arak (central Iran), reported the Iranian state
- APRIL 28, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Two men were hanged in a prison in the city of Varamin in central Iran. The prisoners
Two men were hanged in a prison in the city of Varamin in central Iran. The prisoners
- APRIL 26, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
The Iranian regime hanged 4 prisoners in the Central Prison
The Iranian regime hanged 4 prisoners in the Central Prison
- APRIL 24, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the unofficial Kurdish news agency Kurdpa one prisoner identified
According to the unofficial Kurdish news agency Kurdpa one prisoner identified
- APRIL 24, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to Khorasannews three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Bam (southeastern
According to Khorasannews three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Bam (southeastern
- APRIL 24, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the Iranian state broadcasting two prisoners were executed in the
According to the Iranian state broadcasting two prisoners were executed in the
- APRIL 22, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Two women were hanged in the Dizelabad prison of Kermanshah
Two women were hanged in the Dizelabad prison of Kermanshah
APRIL 22, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR PRISONERS EXECUTED
Iran hanged four prisoners in two different cities. Two young Afghan citizens were executed
APRIL 20, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: NINE PRISONERS HANGED INCLUDING TWO AFGHANS
The Iranian regime henchmen have hanged nine prisoners in prisons in southeastern city of
- APRIL 17, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to reliable sources that Iran Human Rights (IHR) has been in contact with, two
According to reliable sources that Iran Human Rights (IHR) has been in contact with, two
- APRIL 17, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the Iranian state media one prisoner was hanged in the prison of Zarand
According to the Iranian state media one prisoner was hanged in the prison of Zarand
- APRIL 17, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the Iranian state broadcasting two prisoners were hanged in the
According to the Iranian state broadcasting two prisoners were hanged in the
APRIL 16, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: NINE EXECUTED FOR ARMED ROBBERY, MURDER
Iran executed nine people convicted of armed robberies, murder and abduction in the southern province of Fars, the authorities said.
APRIL 10, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER HANGED IN BANDAR ABBAS
Iranian regime's henchmen hanged a man in the morning in central prison of southern city
- APRIL 9, 2013DenmarkDEATH PENALTY
DENMARK STOPS AID TO IRAN’S FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING
The Danish government has decided to cut its aids to Iran’s anti-drug program, say Danish