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
- 9,142
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 9,142 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
APRIL 9, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Azar Yahoo faces espionage-related charges over social media activity
APRIL 9, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Actress Sima Anbaei Farimani faces national security charges
APRIL 9, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Sara Sepehri Arrested
APRIL 8, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Iran deploys proxy forces across multiple cities
APRIL 8, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Political prisoner Maryam Akbari Monfared released after 16 years
Accused of being a member of the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI)
APRIL 8, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - At least nine people arrested for links to international media
APRIL 8, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 40th day of war
Announcement of a Two-Week Ceasefire
APRIL 8, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hengaw Report on 40th day of war
At least 7,650 killed, including 1,030 civilians
APRIL 8, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Naser Taheri and Yahya Masoumi executed in Zanjan on April 8
APRIL 8, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Protest Benjamin Naqdi faces possible death sentence
- APRIL 7, 2026IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Arrest of 17 people for War-Related Reasons
APRIL 7, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris Leave Iran for France
APRIL 7, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Mahboubeh Shabani at risk of execution
Arrested during recent protests
APRIL 7, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - 115th Week of “No to Execution Tuesdays” Continues Despite Blackout
- APRIL 7, 2026IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - At Least 102 People Arrested in Connection with the War
APRIL 7, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 39th day of war
Extensive Damage to the Rail Network and Roads
APRIL 7, 2026JapanDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Japanese citizen released
Shinnosuke Kawashima
- APRIL 6, 2026IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - At Least 283 People Arrested in Connection With the War
APRIL 6, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Protester Ali Fahim Hanged on April 6
10 Political Prisoners Executed in 8 Days
APRIL 6, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Mohsen Eslamkhah, 19-year-old protester, sentenced to death
APRIL 6, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 38th day of war
Highest Rate of Strikes in the Past Ten Days
APRIL 6, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Yaghoub Karimpour faces imminent execution
APRIL 6, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Mothers Who Gave Their Lives during January 2026 Uprising
APRIL 5, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 37th day of war
From Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad to Ardabil
APRIL 5, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Mohammadamin Biglari and Shahin Vahedparast Executed
January 2026 Protesters
APRIL 4, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN Vahid Baniamerian and Abolhassan Montazer executed on April 4
APRIL 4, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Death of Hossein Ghavi under torture
In an IRGC Intelligence detention facility
APRIL 4, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 36th day of war
Fire Breaks Out at Petrochemical Facilities
- APRIL 3, 2026IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Hrana Report on 35th day of war
APRIL 3, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - At least 37 Citizens Arrested
For communicating with people abroad