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
- JANUARY 26, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the official Iranian media a man was hanged in the public early this morning
According to the official Iranian media a man was hanged in the public early this morning
- JANUARY 24, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
one prisoner was hanged in the Shahroud Prison (northern Iran) for drug trafficking.
one prisoner was hanged in the Shahroud Prison (northern Iran) for drug trafficking.
- JANUARY 23, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
one prisoner was hanged publicly in Khoramdareh (Province of Zanjan, western Iran). He was
one prisoner was hanged publicly in Khoramdareh (Province of Zanjan, western Iran). He was
JANUARY 23, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE PRISONERS HANGED IN QAZVIN PRISON
three prisoners were hanged in Qazvin Prison (west of Tehran). FARS news agency reported that three prisoners, identified as K. Kh. (28), A. N. (34) and A. H. (41), were convicted of possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs.
JANUARY 23, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: JUDICIAL HEAD DEFENDS PUBLIC HANGING OF ROBBERS
The head of Iran’s judiciary says the execution of two prisoners convicted of armed robbery was
- JANUARY 20, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Two young men were hanged publicly in Tehran early this morning. The young men have been
Two young men were hanged publicly in Tehran early this morning. The young men have been
- JANUARY 19, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
A young man identified as Hamed (23) was publicly hanged in the city of Urmia (north-western
A young man identified as Hamed (23) was publicly hanged in the city of Urmia (north-western
- JANUARY 18, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Two men were publicly hanged in Pakdasht (South of Tehran) in the morning, reported the
Two men were publicly hanged in Pakdasht (South of Tehran) in the morning, reported the
- JANUARY 16, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: SIX PRISONERS EXECUTED IN ONE DAY
Six prisoners were hanged in three different Iranian prisons, reported the official Iranian
JANUARY 11, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: DEATH SENTENCES OF FIVE AHWAZI ARABS UPHELD BY SUPREME COURT
Sources in Iran have reported that the death Sentences for five Ahwazi Arab political prisoners were upheld by the Iranian Supreme Court.
JANUARY 6, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Khomarabad (western Iran), reported the
- JANUARY 5, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TWO BROTHERS PUBLICY EXECUTED
two prisoners were hanged publicly in the town of Shahr-e-Kord (western Iran) early the morning, reported the Iranian state media.
JANUARY 2, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: ONE PRISONER HANGED IN YASOUJ
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Yasouj (southern Iran).
- JANUARY 1, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
- DECEMBER 29, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: FOUR PRISONERS HANGED IN YAZD
four prisoners were hanged in the prison of Yazd (Iran) early in the morning.
DECEMBER 29, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO MEN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ASSAULT CAUGHT ON FILM
The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced two people to death for assault and robbery.
- DECEMBER 27, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
Five prisoners were hanged publicly in southern Iran today.
Five prisoners were hanged publicly in southern Iran today.
- DECEMBER 27, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
An Afghan citizen was hanged in Dameghan (northern Iran) early this morning
An Afghan citizen was hanged in Dameghan (northern Iran) early this morning
DECEMBER 27, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SIX SALAFI KURD PRISONERS HANGED
At least six Sunni Kurdish prisoners were executed in Ghezelhesar prison in Karaj (west
- DECEMBER 25, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: PRISONER HANGED IN MAZANDARAN PROVINCE
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Sari (northern Iran) reported the state run Iranian news agency ISNA from Mazandaran Province.
DECEMBER 19, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SEVEN PEOPLE HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING, RAPE
Seven convicted people were hanged in Iran's Esfahan prison, Kayhan newspaper reported.
DECEMBER 17, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
One prisoner was hanged in Kashan (central Iran) today, reported the Iranian state media.
DECEMBER 13, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: TWO IRANIAN DRUG TRAFFICKERS GETS DEATH SENTENCE
Two Iranian men were sentenced to death by the High Court in the State of Selangor
DECEMBER 10, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Semnan (northern Iran) early this morning.
- DECEMBER 9, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
AFGHANISTAN: ANGRY PROTESTERS ATTACK IRANIAN CONSULATE IN HERAT OVER EXECUTION OF AFGHANS IN IRAN
In Afghanistan, hundreds of angry protesters attacked the Iranian consulate in western Herat
DECEMBER 8, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE PRISONERS HANGED IN ZAHEDAN
In Iran, three prisoners convicted of drug-related charges were hanged in the prison of Zahedan early in the morning, the news agency IRNA reported.
DECEMBER 3, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: ONE WOMAN AND THREE MEN HANGED IN KERMANSHAH (ONE HANGED PUBLICLY)
four prisoners, including one woman, were hanged in Kermanshah (Western Iran).
- DECEMBER 2, 2012CanadaDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: COMPUTER PROGRAMMER'S DEATH SENTENCE SUSPENDED
Iran has suspended the death sentence for a computer programmer convicted on charges of running a pornographic website after he "repented for his actions," his lawyer was quoted as saying.
- NOVEMBER 27, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
UNITED NATIONS: COMMITTEE CRITICIZES IRAN'S USE OF TORTURE, DEATH PENALTY AND TARGETING OF RIGHTS DEFENDERS
A U.N. committee has expressed deep concern at Iran's continuing use of torture, the
- NOVEMBER 16, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
according to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency
according to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency