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
- 9,149
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 9,149 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 20, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
Changiz Shahnavazi, a prisoner accused of murder, was hanged in the central prison of Zahedan, reported
Changiz Shahnavazi, a prisoner accused of murder, was hanged in the central prison of Zahedan, reported
- JANUARY 17, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
one man was hanged in the prison of Meshginshahr, Ardebil Province, reported Aranmoghan news
one man was hanged in the prison of Meshginshahr, Ardebil Province, reported Aranmoghan news
- JANUARY 17, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: PRISONER HANGED IN YASOOJ
A 45 years-old prisoner was executed on charge of drug trafficking in Yasooj prison, Iran.
- JANUARY 15, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
a shocking report by the inmates leaked out of Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, disclosing unceasing clandestine
a shocking report by the inmates leaked out of Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, disclosing unceasing clandestine
JANUARY 15, 2014IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SIX PRISONERS HANGED FOR DRUG RELATED CHARGES
Six prisoners were hanged in two different Iranian prisons early this morning. The state run Iranian news
JANUARY 15, 2014IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 22 PRISONERS EXECUTED
According to reliable sources in Iran 12 prisoners were hanged on January 14 in the Rajaishahr prison of
- JANUARY 14, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
According to reliable sources in Iran 12 prisoners were hanged in the Rajaishahr prison of Karaj (west
According to reliable sources in Iran 12 prisoners were hanged in the Rajaishahr prison of Karaj (west
- JANUARY 14, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
one man was hanged in public in Saveh (southwest of Tehran), reported the state run Iranian news agency
one man was hanged in public in Saveh (southwest of Tehran), reported the state run Iranian news agency
- JANUARY 14, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
Iranian state media reported about execution of a prisoner in the prison of Ardebil (northwestern
Iranian state media reported about execution of a prisoner in the prison of Ardebil (northwestern
- JANUARY 14, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the state run Iranian news agency Fars, five prisoners were hanged in the Adelabad
According to the state run Iranian news agency Fars, five prisoners were hanged in the Adelabad
- JANUARY 13, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
at least one public execution was carried out in Sirjan, Kerman Province, of an individual convicted of
at least one public execution was carried out in Sirjan, Kerman Province, of an individual convicted of
- JANUARY 12, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the official Iranian news agency IRNA, a 45 year old prisoner was hanged
According to the official Iranian news agency IRNA, a 45 year old prisoner was hanged
- JANUARY 11, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
According to Tasnimnews two prisoners convicted of murder were hanged in the prison of Sari (
According to Tasnimnews two prisoners convicted of murder were hanged in the prison of Sari (
- JANUARY 9, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
two people, who were identified as Gh. D. and M. A., were executed in Bandar Abbas, reported the Iran
two people, who were identified as Gh. D. and M. A., were executed in Bandar Abbas, reported the Iran
- JANUARY 9, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: THREE PRISONERS HANGED IN OROMIYEH PRISON
The Iranian regime has hanged three prisoners in the main prison in the city of Oromiyeh, in western Iran
JANUARY 8, 2014IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED IN MASHHAD FOR MURDER
two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Mashhad, Iran.
- JANUARY 7, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: THREE PRISONERS HANGED IN QAZVIN
three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qazvin, after being convicted of drug related crimes, FARS
- JANUARY 7, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: ONE YOUNG MAN HANGED IN GACHSARAN
A young man charged with premeditated murder was hanged in the morning
JANUARY 5, 2014IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER HANGED IN SARI FOR MURDER
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Sari (Northern Iran) today, reported the official Iranian news agency IRNA.
- JANUARY 1, 2014IranDEATH PENALTY
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
- DECEMBER 30, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: AT LEAST 1 PRISONER HANGED IN ZAHEDAN
At least one prisoner was hanged on charge of murder in central prison of Zahedan
- DECEMBER 26, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
the Iranian regime hanged five prisoners in the central prison of Dizel Abad in Kermanshah, reported the
the Iranian regime hanged five prisoners in the central prison of Dizel Abad in Kermanshah, reported the
DECEMBER 26, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 4 PRISONERS HANGED IN ORUMIEH
four prisoners convicted of murder were hanged in the central prison of Orumieh, reported the Human
DECEMBER 25, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS WERE EXECUTED IN MASHHAD
Two prisoners convicted of murder were hanged in the prison of Mashhad, reported the
DECEMBER 24, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 18 PRISONERS EXECUTED
Eighteen people were executed in Iran between 16 and 18 December 2013, in three different cities.
- DECEMBER 21, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
a prisoner was hanged on charge of murder in the central prison of Zahedan, reported the Human
a prisoner was hanged on charge of murder in the central prison of Zahedan, reported the Human
- DECEMBER 18, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
three prisoners were hanged on charge of murder in the central prison of Orumieh. They
three prisoners were hanged on charge of murder in the central prison of Orumieh. They
- DECEMBER 18, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
8 prisoners were hanged in Rajai Shahr prison (Karaj) in the morning. According to the report of
8 prisoners were hanged in Rajai Shahr prison (Karaj) in the morning. According to the report of
- DECEMBER 18, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
four young prisoners were executed in Tabriz, reported the National Council of Resistance
four young prisoners were executed in Tabriz, reported the National Council of Resistance
- DECEMBER 18, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
the UN General Assembly adopted – by a recorded vote of 86 in favour, to 36 against, with 61 abstentions
the UN General Assembly adopted – by a recorded vote of 86 in favour, to 36 against, with 61 abstentions