Iran’s supreme leader approves pardon for over 2,000 convicts

A view of a banner featuring Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran continue on March 14, 2026. [Fatemeh Bahrami – Anadolu Agency]

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Friday approved a request from the judiciary chief to pardon, reduce, or commute the sentences of more than 2,000 prisoners, Anadolu reports.

The pardon came ahead of Eid al-Ghadir, one of the most significant religious holidays observed by Shia Muslims, according to a statement published on the supreme leader’s official website.

Earlier, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei sought clemency for the prisoners.

According to semi-official ISNA, inmates convicted of security-related offenses, espionage, actions against Iran’s internal or external security, and crimes threatening public security are not eligible for pardon.

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