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 2, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
The state run Iranian news agency Fars reported that three prisoners were hanged in the
The state run Iranian news agency Fars reported that three prisoners were hanged in the
JULY 1, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS EXECUTED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Rafsanjan, Iran, early in the morning. According
JUNE 30, 2012MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: IRANIAN BUSINESSMAN TO HANG FOR DRUGS
An Iranian businessman was sent to the gallows by a High Court in Malaysia for trafficking 2kg of
JUNE 30, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA COMMUTES DEATH SENTENCE HANDED TO SIX IRANIANS
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African affairs says Saudi Arabia has commuted
- JUNE 28, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
In Iran, one man was hanged publicly in Robat Karim, early in the morning
In Iran, one man was hanged publicly in Robat Karim, early in the morning
- JUNE 28, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
one prisoner was hanged publicly in Robat Karim, Iran, early in the morning
one prisoner was hanged publicly in Robat Karim, Iran, early in the morning
- JUNE 28, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the state run Iranian news agency ISNA, one man was hanged
According to the state run Iranian news agency ISNA, one man was hanged
JUNE 28, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED PUBLICLY
two prisoners were hanged publicly in Robat Karim, Iran, early in the morning.
JUNE 26, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: WOMAN 'ADULTERER'S' SENTENCING TO DEATH BY STONING 'CANCELLED', SAYS LAWYER
An Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery will not undergo the punishment
JUNE 24, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PEOPLE AT IMMINENT DANGER OF EXECUTION FOR CONSUMING ALCOHOL
Two people who were sentenced to death for consuming alcohol in Iran are at imminent danger of execution.
JUNE 20, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR MEN HANGED FOR RAPE
According to the Iranian state-run media, four prisoners were hanged publicly in Tehran early in the morning.
JUNE 18, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR AHWAZI PRISONERS EXECUTED
According to reliable sources in Iran, three Ahwazi Arab political prisoners were executed.
JUNE 13, 2012MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: IRANIAN TO HANG FOR TRAFFICKING IN METHAMPHETAMINE
The High Court in Malaysia sentenced an Iranian man to death by hanging after being found guilty of
JUNE 13, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: ONE PRISONER HANGED IN ISFAHAN
One prisoner was hanged in the prison of Isfahan (central Iran) early this morning.
JUNE 11, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED PUBLICLY IN BUSHEHR
Two prisoners were hanged publicly in the city of Bushehr (southern Iran) this morning.
JUNE 11, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TEHRAN PROTESTS AT RIYADH FOR EXECUTION OF IRANIAN NATIONALS
the Iranian foreign ministry summoned Saudi Charge D'Affaires Hassan Zaid in the absence
- JUNE 11, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: SIX PRISONERS HANGED IN GROUP EXECUTION IN EVIN PRISON
The clerical regime of Iran in a group execution hanged 6 prisoners in the notorious Evin prison.
JUNE 9, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED IN ZAHEDAN
According to the official site of the Iranian judiciary in the Baluchestan Province (southeastern Iran), two prisoners identified as Mohammad Mohammad-Hassani Lotak and Saeed Baluch Shahbakhsh were hanged in Zahedan prison (in the capital of the Baluchest
JUNE 7, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FIVE PRISONERS HANGED PUBLICLY IN SHIRAZ
Five prisoners were hanged publicly in the city of Shiraz (southern Iran), reported the Iranian state media.
- JUNE 3, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 3 AFGHAN PRISONERS HANGED OVER DRUGS SMUGGLE CHARGES
According to local authorities in western afghan Nimroz province the dead bodies of three Afghans
- MAY 31, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
two prisoners sentenced to death were executed in Gachsaran and Yasug prisons
two prisoners sentenced to death were executed in Gachsaran and Yasug prisons
MAY 31, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: AT LEAST 9 PRISONERS EXECUTED ONE DAY AFTER EU EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE ALARMING NUMBER OF THE EXECUTIONS
At least nine prisoners were executed in two different prisons in Iran, reported unofficial reports from Iran.
- MAY 30, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
the Persian-language Tabnak news website reported that...
the Persian-language Tabnak news website reported that...
- MAY 28, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED PUBLICLY
two men have been hanged publicly in Iran recently.
- MAY 25, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
A young man was hanged publicly outside Lar prison (southern Iran) in the
A young man was hanged publicly outside Lar prison (southern Iran) in the
- MAY 24, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
In Iran, one prisoner identified as Amirhossein Hosseini was publicly executed in a city square in
In Iran, one prisoner identified as Amirhossein Hosseini was publicly executed in a city square in
MAY 23, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SEVEN PRISONERS HANGED
Seven prisoners have been hanged in Iran recently.
- MAY 22, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
three prisoners were executed in Shiraz (southern Iran). According to the official site
three prisoners were executed in Shiraz (southern Iran). According to the official site
MAY 21, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 14 HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
Iran hanged 14 people in Tehran after they were convicted of drug trafficking, a statement from the Tehran prosecutor’s office said.
- MAY 20, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
according to the official web site of the Iranian judiciary in Mazandaran, one prisoner
according to the official web site of the Iranian judiciary in Mazandaran, one prisoner