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
JULY 3, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 25 PRISONERS WERE EXECUTED, ACCORDING TO UNOFFICIAL SOURCES
According to reports from reliable sources in Iran, yesterday and today 25 prisoners were executed in two different prisons in Iran.
- JULY 2, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
21 prisoners were hanged in the Ghezel Hesar prison of Karaj (west of Tehran), according
21 prisoners were hanged in the Ghezel Hesar prison of Karaj (west of Tehran), according
JULY 2, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 4 PEOPLE SENTENCED TO DEATH BY STONING
The International Committee Against Stoning received information from Tabriz prison that two people had been sentenced to death by stoning.
- JUNE 30, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Khoramabad (Lorestan
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Khoramabad (Lorestan
- JUNE 30, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the official Iranian news agency IRNA two prisoners convicted of rape were
According to the official Iranian news agency IRNA two prisoners convicted of rape were
JUNE 30, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR HANGED FOR RAPE, DRUG TRAFFICKING
Four prisoners were hanged in two different Iranian cities.
- JUNE 29, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Gachsaran (western Iran) this morning. He
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Gachsaran (western Iran) this morning. He
- JUNE 29, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
One prisoner was hanged publicly in "Salman Farsi" crossing of Ahwaz, Iran, reported
One prisoner was hanged publicly in "Salman Farsi" crossing of Ahwaz, Iran, reported
- JUNE 29, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to "Human rights and democracy activists in Iran" (HRDAI) three prisoners
According to "Human rights and democracy activists in Iran" (HRDAI) three prisoners
JUNE 29, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FIVE PEOPLE HANGED
five people were hanged in Iran for several crimes.
JUNE 26, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
According to the Iranian state broadcasting, two prisoners were hanged in the central prison
JUNE 20, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 4 PRISONERS, INCLUDING ONE WOMAN, HANGED
After a two-week hiatus due to the Presidential election, Iranian authorities have begun to execute again. Four prisoners, including one woman, were hanged in Shahr-e-Kord (western Iran).
JUNE 18, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: ONE PRISONER HANGED IN KARAJ
One prisoner was hanged in the Rajai Shahr Prison of Karaj, reported the Iranian daily
JUNE 2, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PEOPLE HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Khoramabad (western Iran), reported the Iranian state media.
- MAY 30, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN AMENDS LAW ON STONING FOR ADULTERY
Iran has amended its internationally condemned law on stoning convicted adulterers to death to allow
- MAY 29, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED FOR MURDER IN KARAJ
According to the Iranian daily newspaper "Javan" two prisoners were hanged in the Rajai Shahr Prison
MAY 22, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: ONE WOMAN FLOGGED 100 TIMES THEN HANGED
According to unofficial sources in Iran, at least one woman was hanged in Gharchak Prison
- MAY 21, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: EIGHT PRISONERS HANGED
Eight people have been hanged in Iran in the last days.
- MAY 20, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Hamadan (western Iran) today.
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Hamadan (western Iran) today.
MAY 19, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO HANGED FOR SPYING FOR ISRAEL, US
Iran hanged two convicted spies, one found guilty of working for Israel, the other for the United States, the Tehran prosecutor's office announced.
- MAY 18, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the Iranian state broadcasting one prisoner who was not identified by
According to the Iranian state broadcasting one prisoner who was not identified by
MAY 16, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 25 YEAR OLD FATHER OF TWO CHILDREN HANGED PUBLICLY
One man was hanged publicly in Noshahr (northern Iran) for murder.
- MAY 15, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Seven prisoners were hanged in the central Prison of Rasht (Northern Iran) today.
Seven prisoners were hanged in the central Prison of Rasht (Northern Iran) today.
- MAY 15, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Three prisoners were hanged in the Rajai Shahr Prison of Karaj (west of Tehran
Three prisoners were hanged in the Rajai Shahr Prison of Karaj (west of Tehran
- MAY 15, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
five prisoners were executed in two different cities, NCRI reported.
five prisoners were executed in two different cities, NCRI reported.
MAY 15, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SEVEN PRISONERS HANGED IN AHVAZ AND KERMANSHAH
seven people have been hanged recently in Iran.
MAY 15, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TEN PEOPLE HANGED FOR MURDER, DRUG TRAFFICKING
ten people were hanged in the cities of Karaj and Rasht, Iran.
- MAY 11, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the Iranian state broadcasting a prisoner convicted of rape was hanged
According to the Iranian state broadcasting a prisoner convicted of rape was hanged
- MAY 10, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
The Iranian regime hanged six people in Karoon Prison, in the city of Ahvaz
The Iranian regime hanged six people in Karoon Prison, in the city of Ahvaz
- MAY 9, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: MURDERER PARDONED WHILE ON GALLOWS
An Iranian man condemned to the gallows for murdering a policeman has been pardoned