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
MAY 29, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: TWO CHILD RAPISTS HANGED IN PUBLIC
Iran hung two men who were previously convicted of raping young children, state-run
MAY 28, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THE MAN WHO CARRIED OUT THE EXECUTION WAS 23 YEARS OLD - AUTHORITIES
Ebrat News, a site close to the Iranian authorities revealed more details about
- MAY 26, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
a man, Mehdi Faraji (37), convicted of murdering five middle-aged women who boarded his
a man, Mehdi Faraji (37), convicted of murdering five middle-aged women who boarded his
- MAY 26, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Two men, Masoud Dehqan and Mehdi Alipour, were hanged in public in Shiraz
Two men, Masoud Dehqan and Mehdi Alipour, were hanged in public in Shiraz
- MAY 26, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
two men, Hamid Ranjbar and Hamid Reza Baqeri, were hanged in public in Iran after they were
two men, Hamid Ranjbar and Hamid Reza Baqeri, were hanged in public in Iran after they were
MAY 26, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SIX PEOPLE EXECUTED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
Six people were hanged in Yasouj and Sari, Iran.
MAY 26, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: FIVE MEN HANGED IN PUBLIC
Iran hanged in public five men convicted of murder, rape, armed robbery and kidnapping, the official IRNA news agency reported.
MAY 25, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: SUPREME COURT GIVES GO-AHEAD FOR REVENGE OF WOMAN DISFIGURED WITH ACID
the Iranian Supreme Court gave the go-ahead for the punishment of Majid Mohavedi
MAY 25, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN CONTINUES SECRET MASS EXECUTIONS IN VAKIL ABAD PRISON IN MASHHAD
close to 70 prisoners were executed in the Vakil Abad Prison in Mashhad, Iran, despite the
MAY 23, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MAN HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
One man was hanged in Behbehan, southwest of Iran, early in the morning May, reported
MAY 22, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE PEOPLE HANGED
Three people were hanged in Oroumieh prison in northwestern Iran early
- MAY 19, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Iran hanged Taqi Nouri Aloyjeh in Isfahan after he was arrested while carrying 27 kilograms
Iran hanged Taqi Nouri Aloyjeh in Isfahan after he was arrested while carrying 27 kilograms
- MAY 19, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Iran hanged Morad Dehesh and Mehdi Nikraftar in Isfahan for their "involvement in the killing
Iran hanged Morad Dehesh and Mehdi Nikraftar in Isfahan for their "involvement in the killing
- MAY 19, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: THREE MEN HANGED IN ISFAHAN
Iran hanged three men in Isfahan after convicting them of murder and drug smuggling
- MAY 18, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: KURDISH POLITICAL PRISONER HABIBOLLAH LATIFI AWAITING EXECUTION
activists stated that the execution of Kurdish political prisoner, Habibollah Latifi, was upheld by Iran's Supreme Court and is awaiting implementation.
- MAY 17, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
According to reliable sources that Iran Human Rights had been in contact
According to reliable sources that Iran Human Rights had been in contact
- MAY 17, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
LAWYER OF IRAN WOMAN TO BE STONED TORTURED AND JAILED
the former lawyer of Iranian woman facing death by stoning Sakineh Ashtianhas has been jailed for eleven years in Tabriz for publicising her case.
MAY 17, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE MEN EXECUTED
three men have been hanged in Iran, Iran Human Rights reported.
MAY 16, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 11 HANGINGS FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING, RAPE
11 people have been hanged recently in Iran. On May 14, one man found guilty of drug smuggling was hanged in a prison in the northern town of Tonekabon, the Kayhan newspaper reported.
- MAY 14, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Four men were hanged in the central Iranian city of Yazd early in the morning, reported
Four men were hanged in the central Iranian city of Yazd early in the morning, reported
- MAY 14, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
One man found guilty of drug smuggling was hanged in a prison in the northern town of Tonekabon
One man found guilty of drug smuggling was hanged in a prison in the northern town of Tonekabon
- MAY 14, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Two people were hanged in the city of Ghazvin, west for Tehran.
Two people were hanged in the city of Ghazvin, west for Tehran.
- MAY 12, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Four people were hanged in the prison of Kerman, in south-east of Iran.
Four people were hanged in the prison of Kerman, in south-east of Iran.
- MAY 12, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
One man was hanged in the city of Bandar Abbas (south of Iran) reported the official site of
One man was hanged in the city of Bandar Abbas (south of Iran) reported the official site of
MAY 12, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYSOUTH AFRICA GRILLS IRANIAN DIGNITARY ON 'EXCESSIVE' EXECUTIONS
"The number of executions in Iran is high because 74% of those executed are of drug traffickers
- MAY 10, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: FIVE DRUG TRAFFICKERS HANGED
Authorities in Iran have hanged five convicted drug-traffickers in
MAY 9, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
three people were hanged in the prison of Miandoab, in west of Iran, official Iranian news agency IRNA reported.
- MAY 5, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 9 EXECUTED AMONG THEM ONE MINOR
According to the reports from Iran nine people, among them one minor, were executed in the city of Ahvaz south of Iran.
- MAY 3, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Iran hanged two convicted drug traffickers in the northern city of Sari, the provincial judiciary department
Iran hanged two convicted drug traffickers in the northern city of Sari, the provincial judiciary department
MAY 3, 2011IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: THREE HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
Iran hanged three convicted drug traffickers, official sources reported.