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
- 9,221
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 9,221 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
- OCTOBER 30, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
according to a report by Khuzestan judiciary
according to a report by Khuzestan judiciary
OCTOBER 30, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 17 PRISONERS EXECUTED ON THE SAME DAY
One Afghan citizen identified as "M. S." was hanged in the prison of Semnan, reported the state
- OCTOBER 29, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
The Iranian regime's judiciary in the city of Sari hanged a prisoner in the city's main prison.
The Iranian regime's judiciary in the city of Sari hanged a prisoner in the city's main prison.
OCTOBER 29, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED IN GONBAD KAVOOS
Two people were executed in central prison of Gonbadkavoos, Iran.
OCTOBER 29, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED
The Iranian regime's judiciary in the city of Sari hanged a prisoner in the city's main prison.
- OCTOBER 28, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
a prisoner was hanged at Lakan Prison in the city of Rasht
a prisoner was hanged at Lakan Prison in the city of Rasht
OCTOBER 28, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER HANGED IN KHORRAMBAD
Iranian authorities executed a person by hanging in Parsilon Prison of Khorrambad
- OCTOBER 27, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
a prisoner was hanged at the main prison in the city of Gachsaran
a prisoner was hanged at the main prison in the city of Gachsaran
- OCTOBER 26, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Jazi Darvishzadeh, a woman from Kalan Kani Village
Jazi Darvishzadeh, a woman from Kalan Kani Village
- OCTOBER 26, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
another Kurdish political prisoner, Reza Esmaili (Mamedi), 34 years old
another Kurdish political prisoner, Reza Esmaili (Mamedi), 34 years old
OCTOBER 26, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: AT LEAST 17 PEOPLE HANGED CONVICTED OF ‘ENEMITY AGAINST GOD’
According to reports from Iran at least 17 prisoners have been executed in Iran According to several news
OCTOBER 23, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THE MAN WHO SURVIVED THE EXECUTION WILL NOT BE HANGED
According to reports from Iran, Alireza M, the 37 year old man who survived a hanging
OCTOBER 21, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SEVEN PRISONERS HANGED INCLUDING A 26-YEAR OLD WOMAN
seven prisoners including a woman have been hanged in a prison in the western city of Kermanshah, according to the reports received from Iran.
OCTOBER 14, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: PRISONER EXECUTED IN A PRISON - THE PRISON WAS ATTACKED IN AN ATTEMPT TO SAVE THE PRISONER
According to the state run news agency Fars one prisoner was hanged early in the morning in the
- OCTOBER 13, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
the branch 16 of Urmia general court, in Iran
the branch 16 of Urmia general court, in Iran
- OCTOBER 12, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 15 BALOCH INCLUDING TWO WOMEN EXECUTED IN ZAHEDAN PRISON
The Iranian regime executed at least 15 people at the central prison of Zahedan city in Balochistan
OCTOBER 11, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 537 HANGINGS FROM OCTOBER 2012 TO OCTOBER 2013
From October 11, 2012 to October 10, 2013 at least 537 people were hanged in various cities
- OCTOBER 10, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
five people accused of terrorist act and assassinations of Sunni Clergymen
five people accused of terrorist act and assassinations of Sunni Clergymen
- OCTOBER 9, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
One prisoner was hanged in public in the town of Fasa (southern Iran).
One prisoner was hanged in public in the town of Fasa (southern Iran).
- OCTOBER 9, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
an Iranian Arab from the city of Ahvaz was hanged in the central prison of Isfahan
an Iranian Arab from the city of Ahvaz was hanged in the central prison of Isfahan
OCTOBER 9, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THE FATHER OF TWO GIRLS SURVIVED BEING HANGED - WILL BE EXECUTED ONCE HE FEELS BETTER
In Iran, a prisoner was found to be alive 24 hours after being hanged and declared dead.
- OCTOBER 9, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: ONE PRISONER HANGED IN PUBLIC AND THREE HANGED IN PRISON
Four prisoners have been hanged in two different Iranian cities reported Iranian state media
- OCTOBER 8, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED IN AHWAZ
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Ahwaz (southwestern Iran), reported the state run
- OCTOBER 5, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Two people were hanged in public in the Iranian northern city of Babol in the morning,
Two people were hanged in public in the Iranian northern city of Babol in the morning,
- OCTOBER 5, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Mohammad Abdullahi who has been charged on collaboration with
Mohammad Abdullahi who has been charged on collaboration with
OCTOBER 5, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: EIGHT MORE EXECUTIONS
Two people were hanged in public in the Iranian northern city of Babol in the morning, Fars news
- OCTOBER 3, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
A prisoner was hanged in the Central Yazd Prison, Iran. He was charged of murder.
A prisoner was hanged in the Central Yazd Prison, Iran. He was charged of murder.
- OCTOBER 3, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
The head of Yazd Judiciary announced that five narcotics traffickers were
The head of Yazd Judiciary announced that five narcotics traffickers were
- OCTOBER 3, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Rasht, reported the state run Iranian
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Rasht, reported the state run Iranian
- OCTOBER 2, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TWO EXECUTIONS IN SHAHR-E-KORD
Two people were hanged in central prison of Shahr-e-Kord, Iran.