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
NOVEMBER 16, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO HANGED PUBLICLY FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
According to the official website of the Iranian judiciary in Fars Province two prisoners identified as "A. M." convicted of carrying 85 kilograms of opium and 10 kilograms of concentrated heroin, and "S. S." convicted of carrying 2800 grams of concentrat
- NOVEMBER 14, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: THREE HANGED PUBLICLY IN ARAK
Three prisoners were hanged publicly in Arak (central Iran) this morning, reported the Iranian
NOVEMBER 14, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MAN EXECUTED FOR MURDER
Iranian state broadcasting reported that a man identified as "Fereydon
- NOVEMBER 13, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
the news agency IRNA reported the hanging of a prisoner in Zanjan prison.
the news agency IRNA reported the hanging of a prisoner in Zanjan prison.
- NOVEMBER 13, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
according to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency
according to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency
- NOVEMBER 13, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
the official website of the Iranian judiciary in the province of Fars
the official website of the Iranian judiciary in the province of Fars
NOVEMBER 13, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 45 PRISONERS HANGED IN ONE DAY
Iran hanged 45 prisoners, bringing the total number of executions this year in that country
NOVEMBER 13, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: AMPUTATION AND FLOGGING CARRIED OUT
Amputation verdicts of two prisoners convicted of theft were carried out publicly
- NOVEMBER 12, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
according to the official website of the Iranian judiciary in Ardebil
according to the official website of the Iranian judiciary in Ardebil
- NOVEMBER 11, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: ONE PRISONER HANGED IN ISFAHAN
One prisoner was hanged in the Isfahan central prison early this morning, reported the
- NOVEMBER 8, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
Seven prisoners were hanged in Shiraz, Iran, five of them in public, Fars reported.
Seven prisoners were hanged in Shiraz, Iran, five of them in public, Fars reported.
- NOVEMBER 7, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN HANGS 10 CONVICTED DRUG TRAFFICKERS
Iran executed 10 drug traffickers in a prison in Tehran, a statement on the website of the prosecutor's
- NOVEMBER 7, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the official website of the Iranian judiciary in the province of Khorrasan
According to the official website of the Iranian judiciary in the province of Khorrasan
NOVEMBER 7, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FIVE HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
Iranian state media reported a total of five people were executed in Shiraz and Zarand (Kerman Province) early this morning.
NOVEMBER 7, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 35 HANGED IN COLLECTIVE EXECUTION IN MASHHAD
Iran sent 35 prisoners to the gallows in a collective execution carried out in the northwestern
NOVEMBER 2, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR WOMEN STONED TO DEATH
According to a report published by the Melli-Mazhabi website, four women have been stoned to death during the past days in Iran. Security agents from the Iranian Judiciary reportedly transferred the bodies of the four women to the Tehran forensic medici
OCTOBER 29, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO KURDISH POLITICAL PRISONERS RECEIVE DEATH SENTENCES
The Supreme Court in Iran confirmed the death sentence of two prisoners.
OCTOBER 28, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: EIGHT PRISONERS HANGED IN EVIN PRISON SECRETLY
In Iran, eight prisoners transferred from Ghezelhesar prison to Evin were executed
OCTOBER 23, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
According to the official Iranian news agency IRNA three prisoners were hanged in the
- OCTOBER 22, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
According to reports from Iran, Saeed Sedighi and nine other prisoners were hanged
According to reports from Iran, Saeed Sedighi and nine other prisoners were hanged
- OCTOBER 21, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
Iran hanged three "terrorists" for bombings in 2010 that killed a total of 67 people in restive
Iran hanged three "terrorists" for bombings in 2010 that killed a total of 67 people in restive
- OCTOBER 18, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TWO PRISONERS EXECUTED ON DRUG-RELATED CHARGES
Two prisoners were hanged in the Shahroud Prison (northern Iran) early in the morning.
OCTOBER 14, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FIVE PRISONERS EXECUTED FOR DRUG-RELATED CHARGES
According to Iranian state media, five prisoners were hanged in two different Iranian cities.
OCTOBER 10, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR PRISONERS HANGED FOR RAPE
Four prisoners were hanged in the prison of Tabriz (northwestern Iran) in the
OCTOBER 7, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FIVE PRISONERS HANGED IN SHIRAZ
Five prisoners were hanged in Shiraz (southern Iran), reported the Iranian state media.
- OCTOBER 6, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: FIVE MEN HANGED IN ZAHEDAN
In Iran, five men were executed in the Zahedan prison, Human Rights Activists News Agency
SEPTEMBER 27, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: AFGHAN NATIONAL HANGED IN EVIN PRISON
According to reports, an Afghan national was hanged in Evin Prison, Teheran, this
- SEPTEMBER 26, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 11 PEOPLE HANGED IN EVIN PRISON
According to reports in Iran, 11 prisoners who were transferred from Qezel Hesar
- SEPTEMBER 25, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: MAN HANGED IN PRISON
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Semnan, reported the Iranian media.
- SEPTEMBER 24, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: THREE AFGHAN CITIZENS HANGED
Three Afghan prisoners were hanged in the prison of Tabas, eastern Iran.