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
AUGUST 26, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: DEATH SENTENCE AGAINST IRANIAN-CANADIAN BLOGGER CONVERTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
The lawyer of a man convicted of building and promoting pornographic websites said a death
AUGUST 26, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 24 PEOPLE EXECUTED IN A WEEK, 17 FOR DRUG RELATED CRIMES
Between 20 and 26 August 2013, Iran executed at least twenty-four people,
AUGUST 24, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN. ONE EXECUTION FOR DRUG SMUGGLING
One man charged of drug smuggling was hanged in the Iranian Ahvaz city prison of the Khuzestan province, Mehr news agency reported.
- AUGUST 22, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
At least twenty-five people were hanged in five different Iranian cities. According to state
At least twenty-five people were hanged in five different Iranian cities. According to state
- AUGUST 21, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
A young man identified only as Y. was hanged in the prison of Mashhad, reported the Iranian daily newspaper Khorrasan. He was convicted
A young man identified only as Y. was hanged in the prison of Mashhad, reported the Iranian daily newspaper Khorrasan. He was convicted
AUGUST 21, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN. TWO EXECUTIONS IN PUBLIC
two prisoners were hanged in two different Iranian cities today, reported the Iranian state media. One prisoner identified as "Abdolhamid S." also known as "Mehdi" was hanged in public in the city of Jahrom (southern Iran).
- AUGUST 20, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
A prisoner identified as M. was hanged in the prison of Mashhad, reported the
A prisoner identified as M. was hanged in the prison of Mashhad, reported the
AUGUST 20, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN. EXECUTED FOR A CRIME COMMITTED WHEN HE WAS TWELWE
The Iranian regime's henchmen have hanged a 18-year old boy in the western city of Kermanshah for alleged crime committed when he was 12.
- AUGUST 20, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: EXECUTED FOR A CRIME COMMITTED WHEN HE WAS TWELWE
On 20 August 2013, the Iranian regime hanged a 18-year old boy in the
- AUGUST 18, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN. WOMAN AND MAN SENTENCED TO BE STONED
the Iranian regime’s highest judiciary authority has confirmed the sentence of stoning to death for a woman and a man, according to reports from inside Iran.
AUGUST 18, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN. THREE PUBLIC EXECUTIONS
Three prisoners were hanged publicly in Karaj (west of Tehran). According to the official Iranian news agency IRNA three young men identified as Meraj T., Ali A. and Milad P. (ages 20-24 years) were hanged at three different spots of the city.
AUGUST 18, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MULLAHS JUDICIARY CONFIRMS STONING TO DEATH OF A MAN AND A WOMAN
On 18 August 2013, the Iranian regime’s highest judiciary authority confirmed the
AUGUST 14, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN. SEX PRISONERS HANGED IN THE KAROUN PRISON
Six prisoners were hanged in the Karoun Prison of Ahwaz (southwestern Iran), reported the Iranian state media.
- AUGUST 14, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: SIX PRISONERS HANGED IN AHWAZ
six prisoners were hanged in the Karoun Prison of Ahwaz, reported the Iranian
- AUGUST 4, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Payman Qaneh Kohan Shahri was executed in Salmas City, Iran, while the streets leading
Payman Qaneh Kohan Shahri was executed in Salmas City, Iran, while the streets leading
JULY 27, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER HANGED IN MIANDOAB
Iran hanged a prisoner in southern city of Miandoab. The Iranian regime's judiciary chief in the city told the state-run network that the man was hanged in the city's prison.
- JULY 27, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS EXECUTION SENTENCE FOR 4 YOUNG ARAB MEN
With the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the death sentences of 4 young Arab men
JULY 20, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: ONE PRISONER EXECUTED IN KHORAMABAD
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Khoramabad (western Iran), reported the Iranian state
- JULY 10, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: THREE PRISONERS HANGED IN KERMANSHAH
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Kermanshah (west of Iran), reported the state
- JULY 9, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
seven prisoners were hanged in a prison in the city of Rashat, Iran, said the judiciary chief in the Province
seven prisoners were hanged in a prison in the city of Rashat, Iran, said the judiciary chief in the Province
JULY 9, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE MORE HANGED IN ARDEBIL PRISON
three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Ardebil (Iran) early in the morning. According
JULY 9, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 21 PRISONERS HANGED
21 prisoners have been hanged in Iran in the last days.
- JULY 8, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the Iranian Judiciary in Ardebil, three prisoners convicted of drug related charges
According to the Iranian Judiciary in Ardebil, three prisoners convicted of drug related charges
- JULY 7, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qazvin (west of Tehran) early this morning
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qazvin (west of Tehran) early this morning
- JULY 7, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qazvin (west of Tehran) early this morning
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qazvin (west of Tehran) early this morning
JULY 7, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FIVE PRISONERS HANGED IN QAZVIN
Five prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qazvin (west of Tehran) early this morning, reported the official Iranian media.
- JULY 6, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
At least 14 prisoners were executed in two different cities, according to official and unofficial reports
At least 14 prisoners were executed in two different cities, according to official and unofficial reports
- JULY 4, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Four prisoners sentenced to death in Iran for drug-related crimes were hanged at midnight
Four prisoners sentenced to death in Iran for drug-related crimes were hanged at midnight
- JULY 4, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: SIX HANGED IN THE PRISON OF BAM
According to the state run Iranian news agency Fars six prisoners who were not identified by name,
- JULY 3, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
four prisoners were hanged in the Rajai Shahr Prison of Karaj (
four prisoners were hanged in the Rajai Shahr Prison of Karaj (