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 25, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SUPREME COURT GIVES GO-AHEAD FOR REVENGE OF WOMAN DISFIGURED WITH ACID
the Iranian Supreme Court gave the go-ahead for the punishment of Majid Mohavedi
MAY 23, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MAN HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
One man was hanged in Behbehan, southwest of Iran, early in the morning May, reported
MAY 22, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE PEOPLE HANGED
Three people were hanged in Oroumieh prison in northwestern Iran early
- MAY 19, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Iran hanged Taqi Nouri Aloyjeh in Isfahan after he was arrested while carrying 27 kilograms
Iran hanged Taqi Nouri Aloyjeh in Isfahan after he was arrested while carrying 27 kilograms
- MAY 19, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Iran hanged Morad Dehesh and Mehdi Nikraftar in Isfahan for their "involvement in the killing
Iran hanged Morad Dehesh and Mehdi Nikraftar in Isfahan for their "involvement in the killing
- MAY 18, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: KURDISH POLITICAL PRISONER HABIBOLLAH LATIFI AWAITING EXECUTION
activists stated that the execution of Kurdish political prisoner, Habibollah Latifi, was upheld by Iran's Supreme Court and is awaiting implementation.
- MAY 17, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
According to reliable sources that Iran Human Rights had been in contact
According to reliable sources that Iran Human Rights had been in contact
- MAY 17, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
LAWYER OF IRAN WOMAN TO BE STONED TORTURED AND JAILED
the former lawyer of Iranian woman facing death by stoning Sakineh Ashtianhas has been jailed for eleven years in Tabriz for publicising her case.
- MAY 14, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Four men were hanged in the central Iranian city of Yazd early in the morning, reported
Four men were hanged in the central Iranian city of Yazd early in the morning, reported
- MAY 14, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
One man found guilty of drug smuggling was hanged in a prison in the northern town of Tonekabon
One man found guilty of drug smuggling was hanged in a prison in the northern town of Tonekabon
- MAY 14, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Two people were hanged in the city of Ghazvin, west for Tehran.
Two people were hanged in the city of Ghazvin, west for Tehran.
- MAY 12, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
SOUTH AFRICA GRILLS IRANIAN DIGNITARY ON 'EXCESSIVE' EXECUTIONS
"The number of executions in Iran is high because 74% of those executed are of drug traffickers
- MAY 12, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Four people were hanged in the prison of Kerman, in south-east of Iran.
Four people were hanged in the prison of Kerman, in south-east of Iran.
- MAY 12, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
One man was hanged in the city of Bandar Abbas (south of Iran) reported the official site of
One man was hanged in the city of Bandar Abbas (south of Iran) reported the official site of
MAY 10, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FIVE DRUG TRAFFICKERS HANGED
Authorities in Iran have hanged five convicted drug-traffickers in
MAY 9, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
three people were hanged in the prison of Miandoab, in west of Iran, official Iranian news agency IRNA reported.
MAY 5, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 9 EXECUTED AMONG THEM ONE MINOR
According to the reports from Iran nine people, among them one minor, were executed in the city of Ahvaz south of Iran.
- MAY 3, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Iran hanged two convicted drug traffickers in the northern city of Sari, the provincial judiciary department
Iran hanged two convicted drug traffickers in the northern city of Sari, the provincial judiciary department
- MAY 2, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
SCHEDULED IRANIAN EXECUTION DELAYED
Iran stayed the hanging of Kurdish political activist Sherko Moarefi for a possible judicial review.
- MAY 1, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN TO FREE HUNDREDS OF AFGHAN PRISONERS
hundreds of Afghan citizens languishing in Iranian jails would be released in the near future...
APRIL 30, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MAN HANGED IN CENTRAL PROVINCE OF MARKAZI
One man was hanged in public in the Markazi (central)
- APRIL 29, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
One man was hanged in public in the southwest Iranian town of Mahshahr, reported the
One man was hanged in public in the southwest Iranian town of Mahshahr, reported the
- APRIL 29, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
the EU's foreign affairs chief, Catherine Ashton...
the EU's foreign affairs chief, Catherine Ashton...
APRIL 22, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: ONE PERSON EXECUTED
One man was hanged in the prison of kermanshah west of Iran, reported the official Iranian
APRIL 21, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR PEOPLE HANGED IN PUBLIC ON A BEACH IN BANDAR ABBAS
Four people were hanged in public in the city of Bandar Abbas, south of Iran, this morning.
- APRIL 19, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
IRANIAN HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER RELEASED AFTER SERVING HIS SENTENCE
jailed Iranian lawyer Mohammad Oliayifard was released after serving his one-year sentence.
APRIL 16, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR MEN HANGED IN FARS PROVINCE
Iran hanged three inmates all convicted of killing two policemen, armed robbery and kidnapping and a fourth person convicted of serial killings.
APRIL 13, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PEOPLE HANGED IN ARAK
Two people were hanged in the prison of Arak, in central Iran.
- APRIL 9, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: MAN HANGED IN AHWAZ
One man was hanged in the southwest Iranian city of Ahwaz, reported the state run Iranian news agency Fars.
- APRIL 7, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: THREE PEOPLE HANGED IN ORUMIYEH
3 people were hanged in the central prison of Orumiyeh, Iran.