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
- 8,611
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 8,611 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 28, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
EBADI RIGHTS GROUP PROTESTS IRAN MASS EXECUTION
the rights group run by Nobel peace laureate Shirin Ebadi protested the hanging by Iran of 29 criminals in a mass execution and said it doubted the convicts were given a fair trial.
- JULY 27, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN. MASS EXECUTION IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC
Iran hanged 29 people at dawn after they had been convicted of murder, drug trafficking and other crimes, state run television reported.
- JULY 27, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: HANDS OFF CAIN- GOVERNMENTS THAT VOTED FOR THE MORATORIUM SHOULD ACT
regarding the 29 executions in Iran, Sergio D’Elia, Hands Off Cain Secretary, stated: “The executions today in Iran further prove the danger posed by Ahmadinejad. Many acknowledge and attempt to prevent the future threats to peace and world security repre
- JULY 26, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
Nasser Hamidi and another unidentified man were hanged in Iran for murder
Nasser Hamidi and another unidentified man were hanged in Iran for murder
- JULY 24, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
EU SLAMS IRAN STONING
the EU rebuked Iran for the sentencing of nine people to death by stoning.
- JULY 23, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
a man, possible minor, identified only as "H. A...
a man, possible minor, identified only as "H. A...
- JULY 23, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
a man was hanged in the Adel Abad prison of Shiraz...
a man was hanged in the Adel Abad prison of Shiraz...
- JULY 22, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: RIGHTS GROUP PROTESTS HANGING OF MINORS
three men were hanged in the central prison of Bushehr (south of Iran) the state run news agency Fars.
- JULY 20, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: EIGHT WOMEN, ONE MAN TO BE STONED TO DEATH
at least eight women and one man have been sentenced to be stoned to death in Iran and may be executed at any time, the lawyers defending several of those sentenced said.
- JULY 19, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
three men were hanged in the prison of Oroumieh...
three men were hanged in the prison of Oroumieh (Northwestern Iran), according to the site "Human rights activists in Iran".
- JULY 18, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
EU. PRESIDENCY REBUKES IRAN OVER RECENT EXECUTIONS
the French Presidency of the European Union said it was "deeply concerned
- JULY 18, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
EU CONDEMNS IRAN ON DEATH PENALTY
the European Union criticised Iran for a spate of executions and plans to extend the scope of the death penalty, a day before it leads international talks on Tehran's disputed nuclear program.
- JULY 16, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN. WOMAN TO BE HANGED AFTER 18 YEARS IN JAIL
an Iranian woman arrested at the age of 13 is due to be hanged after
- JULY 16, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRANIAN KURDISTAN: ACTIVISTS SENTENCED TO DEATH
the Iranian High Court announced the death sentences of a teacher and human rights activist, Farhad Kamangar, and two political activists, Farhad Vakili and Ali Heidarian, who are of Kurdish origins.
- JULY 14, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
SIX CONVICTS EXECUTED IN PUBLIC IN IRAN
Six people were executed in public in the northeastern Iranian city of Sabzevar, state radio
- JULY 14, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
a prisoner identified as "Saeed Khelkeh" (27), was hanged in the Oroumieh prison...
a prisoner identified as "Saeed Khelkeh" (27), was hanged in the Oroumieh prison...
- JULY 13, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
Iran hanged two people convicted of murder...
Iran hanged two people convicted of murder...
- JULY 10, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
Iran hanged four people convicted of murder...
Iran hanged four people convicted of murder...
- JULY 10, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
Ahmad Khalaj was executed in the prison of Sanandaj, Iran
Ahmad Khalaj was executed in the prison of Sanandaj, Iran
- JULY 8, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN URGED TO HALT EXECUTIONS OF JUVENILE CRIMINALS
Major human rights groups appealed to Iran to stop imposing the
- JULY 8, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
Amnesty International and over 20 international...
Amnesty International and over 20 international...
- JULY 7, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN. MULLAHS STATION FORCES IN PARKS TO FURTHER CRACKDOWN ON WOMEN
the Head of the "Agency to Promote Virtue and Forbid Vice" of the State Security Forces of
- JULY 5, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN EXECUTES MAN FOR DRUG SMUGGLING IN SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCE
a man was put to death in south eastern Iran after being found guilty of drug
- JULY 2, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN MULLS DEATH PENALTY FOR INTERNET CRIMES
Iran's parliament is set to debate a draft bill which could see the death penalty used for those deemed to promote corruption, prostitution and apostasy on the Internet, reports said.
- JULY 2, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN HANGS THREE FOR MURDER
Iran hanged three men convicted of murder in Tehran's Evin prison, the state run news agency ISCAnews reported.
- JULY 1, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
a youth in Iran is appealing a death sentence...
a youth in Iran is appealing a death sentence...
- JULY 1, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN HANGS TEENAGE MURDERER
Iran hanged a 19-year-old youth in prison in the central city of Isfahan after
- JUNE 30, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
DEATH SENTENCE FOR IRANIAN CHARGED WITH ESPIONAGE FOR ISRAEL
an Iranian charged with espionage for Israel was sentenced to dea
- JUNE 30, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRANIAN MAN TO BE STONED TO DEATH DESPITE MORATORIUM
Naghi Ahmadi was sentenced to death by stoning in Iran in June, in the northern city of Sari, after he visited a married woman's home in the night while her husband was away working in another city, the Sarmayeh newspaper reported.
- JUNE 23, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
a young man who allegedly committed a...
a young man who allegedly committed a...