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
- FEBRUARY 28, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: SIX PRISONERS HANGED
Six prisoners were hanged in three different Iranian cities reported the Iranian state media. Four of the prisoners were hanged in public.
FEBRUARY 28, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FIVE PRISONERS EXECUTED FOR DRUG-RELATED CHARGES
According to the official Iranian media five prisoners have been hanged in three different Iranian cities. All the prisoners are convicted of drug-related charges.
- FEBRUARY 27, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
The official Iranian news agency IRNA reported that one prisoner was executed in the
The official Iranian news agency IRNA reported that one prisoner was executed in the
- FEBRUARY 27, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the Iranian state media a 31 year old prisoner was hanged in
According to the Iranian state media a 31 year old prisoner was hanged in
- FEBRUARY 24, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Four people were executed in two different Iranian cities for drug-related charges.
Four people were executed in two different Iranian cities for drug-related charges.
FEBRUARY 23, 2013AfghanistanDEATH PENALTYIRAN REPORTEDLY HANGED AROUND 80 AFGHANS OVER DRUG SMUGGLING
According to reports at least 80 Afghan civilians have been hanged by Iran over drugs and opium smuggling charges.
FEBRUARY 20, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE PRISONERS HANGED
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Dizelabad in Kermanshah (western Iran).
FEBRUARY 20, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: ONE YOUNG MAN HANGED PUBLICLY
One prisoner was hanged publicly in Arak (central Iran). According to the official website
FEBRUARY 19, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: EIGHT PRISONERS HANGED IN SHIRAZ
Eight prisoners were hanged in Shiraz’s Adelabad Prison early this morning. According to
FEBRUARY 18, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 14 PEOPLE HANGED
14 people have been hanged in Iran in the last days.
- FEBRUARY 17, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
The official website of the Iranian judiciary in Fars Province reported that three
The official website of the Iranian judiciary in Fars Province reported that three
- FEBRUARY 17, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the official Iranian news agency IRNA three prisoners were hanged in the prison
According to the official Iranian news agency IRNA three prisoners were hanged in the prison
- FEBRUARY 17, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
The rights group HRDAI reported that at least four prisoners were hanged in the prison
The rights group HRDAI reported that at least four prisoners were hanged in the prison
- FEBRUARY 17, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Iran’s Supreme Court has upheld the death sentences
Iran’s Supreme Court has upheld the death sentences
- FEBRUARY 16, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
The Iranian regime’s henchman hanged a man in western city of Sanandaj in Iran. Omar Shahbazi
The Iranian regime’s henchman hanged a man in western city of Sanandaj in Iran. Omar Shahbazi
- FEBRUARY 16, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
One prisoner was hanged publicly in the Gaz Square of Shiraz (Iran), reported
One prisoner was hanged publicly in the Gaz Square of Shiraz (Iran), reported
- FEBRUARY 15, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
A prisoner, Sabah Lavimi, 38, who was an Arab compatriot from Khuzistan
A prisoner, Sabah Lavimi, 38, who was an Arab compatriot from Khuzistan
- FEBRUARY 14, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
A prisoner was hanged in public in southern city of Shiraz, in Iran. The prisoner
A prisoner was hanged in public in southern city of Shiraz, in Iran. The prisoner
FEBRUARY 13, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MAN HANGED IN PUBLIC FOR MURDER
One prisoner was publicly hanged in Tehran. According to the state run Iranian news agency
FEBRUARY 12, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
Two prisoners were hanged in Arak (South of Tehran), reported the Iranian state media.
FEBRUARY 6, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE PRISONERS EXECUTED IN ISFAHAN
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Isfahan, reported
- FEBRUARY 3, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: SECRET MASS EXECUTIONS RESUME IN MASHHAD’S VAKILABAD PRISON
Iran Human Rights reported that reliable sources in Iran said as many as 400 prisoners might have been executed in Mashhad’s Vakilabad Prison in the previous four or five months.
- JANUARY 30, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: FIVE MEN HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
Five prisoners were executed in the prison of Kerman (Southeastern Iran) in the morning, reported the state run Iranian media.
- JANUARY 28, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
One prisoner was hanged in Ilam Prison, reported Fars, a state-run Iranian news agency.
One prisoner was hanged in Ilam Prison, reported Fars, a state-run Iranian news agency.
JANUARY 28, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MAN HANGED IN MIANEH PRISON
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Mianeh (northwestern Iran) reported the official
JANUARY 28, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO MEN HANGED FOR RAPE, MURDER
Two men were executed in Iran in recent days, in two separate cases.
- JANUARY 27, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: SEVEN PEOPLE HANGED
according to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), six prisoners were hanged in Esfahan, Iran,
- JANUARY 26, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the official Iranian media a man was hanged in the public early this morning
According to the official Iranian media a man was hanged in the public early this morning
JANUARY 25, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: HANGINGS AND AMPUTATION OF FINGERS
Two hangings were carried out in Iran in recent days, for different offenses.
- JANUARY 24, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
one prisoner was hanged in the Shahroud Prison (northern Iran) for drug trafficking.
one prisoner was hanged in the Shahroud Prison (northern Iran) for drug trafficking.