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
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Dual National Iranian-Swedish
MARCH 18, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - IHR Report on Alarming Prison Conditions
MARCH 18, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - PMOI Resistance Units light up Iran in daring campaign
MARCH 18, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 19th day of war
Widespread Strikes on Oil and Gas Facilities
MARCH 17, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hengaw Report on Kurdistan during the war
Civilian spaces in Kurdistan militarized amid escalating security measures
MARCH 17, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hengaw Report on 18th day of war
Death toll hits 5,300, including 511 civilians
MARCH 17, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 18th day of war
Report of 179 Strikes
- MARCH 16, 2026IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Hrana Report on 17th day of war
Increase in Civilian Casualties
MARCH 16, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Over 500 People Arrested for Sending Information to Media
- MARCH 16, 2026IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Five law enforcement personnel killed in armed attack in Sistan and Baluchestan
MARCH 16, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - UN: report on the crackdown on the January protests.
MARCH 15, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 16th day of war
Over 450 Attacks Recorded
MARCH 15, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Ongoing Repressive Measures Against Bahá'í Citizens
- MARCH 14, 2026IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - Hrana Report: At Least 90 Arrested in Connection with the War
On charges of “anti-security” activities
MARCH 14, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hengaw Report on 14th day of war
War toll reaches 4,900, including 480 civilians
MARCH 14, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 15th day of war
Attacks on Isfahan
MARCH 13, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 14th day of war
Nearly 6,000 Attacks Recorded Nationwide
MARCH 12, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - More than 100 security forces killed in Sanandaj
Iranian media have so far refrained from reporting these casualties
MARCH 12, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 13th day of war
More Than Three Million Displaced
MARCH 12, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report: 195 Arrested on Espionage Allegations
For posting videos on social media
MARCH 11, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 12th day of war
39 Percent of Strikes Concentrated in Tehran
MARCH 10, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hengaw Report on 10th day of war
At least 4,300 killed, including 390 civilians
MARCH 10, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - IHR Report on arrests of activists during the war
MARCH 10, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Human Rights Violations Under Ali Khamenei (3)
MARCH 10, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 11th day of war
Tragedy on Resalat Highway
MARCH 9, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Human Rights Violations Under Ali Khamenei (2)
MARCH 9, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 10th day of war
Extensive Damage to Isfahan’s Historical Sites
MARCH 8, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hrana Report on 9th day of war
Polluted Air and Black Rain in Tehran
MARCH 8, 2026IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN - Hengaw report on violations of women’s rights
At least 250 women killed during the January protests