Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei approved a pardon for thousands of prisoners in Iran [1], [2].

The move comes as part of an amnesty effort to reduce the national prison population and demonstrate clemency during the religious observance of Eid al-Adha [2].

Reports on the scale of the release vary. One account said the Supreme Leader approved the pardon for more than 2,000 convicts [1]. Another report said 2,654 prisoners had their sentences pardoned or commuted [2].

Discrepancies also exist regarding the timing of the announcement. While one report dates the action to June 5, 2026 [1], another record said the pardon occurred June 16, 2024 [2].

The Iranian government typically utilizes religious holidays to implement mass releases. These measures are often used to manage overcrowded facilities, a recurring issue within the Iranian penal system [2].

Official details regarding the specific crimes of those released or the criteria for selection were not provided in the available reports. The pardon process is managed by the office of the Supreme Leader, who holds the final authority over such judicial overrides in Iran [1], [2].

“Ayatollah Ali Khamenei approved a pardon for thousands of prisoners”

The use of religious holidays like Eid al-Adha for mass pardons is a recurring tool for the Iranian leadership to alleviate prison overcrowding and signal benevolence. However, the conflicting dates and numbers in the reporting suggest a lack of transparent, centralized data on the actual number of prisoners released.