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
- JULY 17, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qazvin early in the morning. In a press
three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qazvin early in the morning. In a press
JULY 16, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE PRISONERS HANGED IN KERMAN FOR RAPE
Three prisoners were hanged in Kerman prison, reported today the official site of the Iranian judiciary in the province of Kerman.
- JULY 12, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qazvin early in the morning, reported the official
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qazvin early in the morning, reported the official
- JULY 12, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
According to reliable sources that Iran Human Rights have been in contact with, the
According to reliable sources that Iran Human Rights have been in contact with, the
JULY 12, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
Two prisoners were hanged in the prison of Yasooj (western Iran) reported the local media.
JULY 12, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR PRISONERS HANGED IN QAZVIN, SHIRAZ
Four prisoners were hanged in Iran for drug trafficking, murder.
JULY 10, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO PRISONERS HANGED IN ZAHEDAN
Two prisoners were hanged in the central prison of Zahedan, the capital
- JULY 9, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qazvin (west of Tehran) early this
Three prisoners were hanged in the prison of Qazvin (west of Tehran) early this
JULY 9, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR HANGED FOR DRUG-RELATED CRIMES
Four prisoners have been hanged in Iran for drug-related crimes.
- JULY 8, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
According to the state run Iranian news agency Fars one prisoner was hanged in
According to the state run Iranian news agency Fars one prisoner was hanged in
JULY 8, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SIX AHWAZIS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ALLEGEDLY POSING A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY
Six Arab political activists in southern Iran’s Ahwaz region were sentenced to death by an Iranian
JULY 3, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FOUR PRISONERS EXECUTED
Four prisoners have been executed recently in two different Iranian towns, according to the state run Iranian news agencies.
- 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 PENALTY
IRAN: 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 PENALTY
IRAN: 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 PENALTY
IRAN: 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