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
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 PENALTYIRAN: 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 PENALTYIRAN: 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.
- JANUARY 23, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
one prisoner was hanged publicly in Khoramdareh (Province of Zanjan, western Iran). He was
one prisoner was hanged publicly in Khoramdareh (Province of Zanjan, western Iran). He was
- JANUARY 23, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: THREE PRISONERS HANGED IN QAZVIN PRISON
three prisoners were hanged in Qazvin Prison (west of Tehran). FARS news agency reported that three prisoners, identified as K. Kh. (28), A. N. (34) and A. H. (41), were convicted of possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs.
JANUARY 23, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: JUDICIAL HEAD DEFENDS PUBLIC HANGING OF ROBBERS
The head of Iran’s judiciary says the execution of two prisoners convicted of armed robbery was
- JANUARY 21, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: FIVE MEN HANGED IN PUBLIC
Six men have been executed in public in Iran in the last days.
- JANUARY 20, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Two young men were hanged publicly in Tehran early this morning. The young men have been
Two young men were hanged publicly in Tehran early this morning. The young men have been
- JANUARY 19, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
A young man identified as Hamed (23) was publicly hanged in the city of Urmia (north-western
A young man identified as Hamed (23) was publicly hanged in the city of Urmia (north-western
- JANUARY 18, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
Two men were publicly hanged in Pakdasht (South of Tehran) in the morning, reported the
Two men were publicly hanged in Pakdasht (South of Tehran) in the morning, reported the
JANUARY 16, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SIX PRISONERS EXECUTED IN ONE DAY
Six prisoners were hanged in three different Iranian prisons, reported the official Iranian
JANUARY 11, 2013IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: DEATH SENTENCES OF FIVE AHWAZI ARABS UPHELD BY SUPREME COURT
Sources in Iran have reported that the death Sentences for five Ahwazi Arab political prisoners were upheld by the Iranian Supreme Court.
- JANUARY 6, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TWO HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Khomarabad (western Iran), reported the
- JANUARY 5, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TWO BROTHERS PUBLICY EXECUTED
two prisoners were hanged publicly in the town of Shahr-e-Kord (western Iran) early the morning, reported the Iranian state media.
- JANUARY 2, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: ONE PRISONER HANGED IN YASOUJ
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Yasouj (southern Iran).
- JANUARY 1, 2013IranDEATH PENALTY
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
- DECEMBER 29, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: FOUR PRISONERS HANGED IN YAZD
four prisoners were hanged in the prison of Yazd (Iran) early in the morning.
DECEMBER 29, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO MEN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ASSAULT CAUGHT ON FILM
The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced two people to death for assault and robbery.
- DECEMBER 27, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
Five prisoners were hanged publicly in southern Iran today.
Five prisoners were hanged publicly in southern Iran today.
- DECEMBER 27, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
An Afghan citizen was hanged in Dameghan (northern Iran) early this morning
An Afghan citizen was hanged in Dameghan (northern Iran) early this morning
DECEMBER 27, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SIX SALAFI KURD PRISONERS HANGED
At least six Sunni Kurdish prisoners were executed in Ghezelhesar prison in Karaj (west