Following Abdi Media’s note, Mizan published the circular of the head of the judiciary regarding the conditions of the 2025 qualified amnesty.

Mizan News Agency published the directive of the Head of the Judiciary regarding the conditions of pardon and reduction of sentences on the occasion of the blessed birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (AS) in 2025.

With the proposal of the Head of the Judiciary, the list of “criteria-based pardon” was presented to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution on the occasion of the birth of the Prophet (PBUH) and Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (AS). With His Eminence’s approval, a large number of convicts of public and revolutionary courts, the Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces, the Organization for Governmental Sanctions, and some security convicts—who were usually not included in previous pardons—will now benefit from pardon under two conditions.

According to Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Mozaffari, Deputy of the Judiciary, in this round, a “criteria-based pardon” was proposed and considered, which includes a large number of convicts and offenders.

The full text of the directive by Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Mohseni Eje’i, Head of the Judiciary, regarding the conditions of pardon and commutation of punishments is as follows:

To the Honorable Presence of Grand Ayatollah Imam Khamenei (may his lofty shadow endure),
The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,

With greetings and congratulations,

On the occasion of the blessed birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (AS), and in implementation of Clause 11 of Article 110 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and in order to reduce the negative effects of imprisonment, facilitate the social reintegration of prisoners, support their families, and allow convicts to benefit from Islamic mercy, the following conditions and regulations of pardon are hereby presented for your approval. Should Your Eminence approve, convicts of public and revolutionary courts, the Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces, and the Organization for Governmental Sanctions, whose sentences become final by September 10, 2025, and who meet the conditions specified herein, will be eligible for pardon or commutation of punishment and benefit from Islamic clemency:

A – Convictions of up to five years in security-related crimes:

Those whose sentences have been final for more than five years but not executed, provided that during this period they have refrained from any anti-security actions or stances against national interests, or have contributed positively (inside or outside the country) during the recent imposed war, avoiding subversive activity.

Note: Verification of these conditions lies with the Prosecutor in charge of the sentence or the Head of the relevant Prosecutor’s Office, and when necessary, with the national intelligence authority.

B – Convicts currently serving prison sentences:

Two-thirds remission of the remaining sentence for those sentenced to up to 2 years’ imprisonment, provided they have served at least 3 months by September 10, 2025.

Three-fifths remission of the remaining sentence for those sentenced to more than 2 up to 5 years.

Two-fifths remission of the remaining sentence for those sentenced to more than 5 up to 10 years.

One-fifth remission of the remaining sentence for those sentenced to more than 10 up to 20 years.

One-sixth remission of the remaining sentence for those sentenced to more than 20 up to 25 years, provided they have served at least 2 years by September 10, 2025.

The remaining sentence of those sentenced to Grade One Ta‘zir punishments, provided men have served at least 12 years and women at least 9 years by September 10, 2025.

The remaining sentence of all convicts of non-intentional crimes.

Two-fifths remission of the remaining sentence for female convicts sentenced to less than 20 years, provided they have custody of their children by law.

Three-fifths remission of the remaining sentence for martyrs’ families and war veterans (father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters), for sentences up to 10 years; and two-fifths remission for sentences over 10 years, provided by September 10, 2025.

The remaining sentence of prisoners suffering from incurable diseases, confirmed by the Legal Medical Commission.

Male convicts over 70 and female convicts over 60, with conditions: for sentences up to 20 years, after serving at least one-fifth; for sentences over 20 years, after serving at least 8 years by September 10, 2025.

Foreign nationals sentenced only for illegal entry or residence, provided they have served at least one-fifth of the sentence.

Convicts under 18 years of age at the time of crime, based on official records or confirmed by Legal Medicine if documents are lacking.

C – Monetary fines:

Those imprisoned due to inability to pay fines up to 1,000,000,000 IRR (~$18,000).

Remaining fines between 1–5 billion IRR if at least 3 months imprisonment has been served by September 10, 2025.

Remaining fines between 5–10 billion IRR if at least 6 months imprisonment has been served by September 10, 2025.

Remaining fines above 10 billion IRR if at least 1 year imprisonment has been served by September 10, 2025.

Note: Those whose prison terms are pardoned will also benefit from commutation of their monetary fines.

D – Commutation of one degree of punishment for death sentences of convicts with no similar criminal record.
E – All convicts sentenced to Ta‘zir flogging.
Conditions for benefiting from the pardon:

Having no more than one prior definitive conviction up to degree six.

No commission of new intentional crimes (degree 1–6) during imprisonment or leave.

No private complainant, or reconciliation/compensation of damages to complainants (individual or corporate) by December 21, 2025.

Crimes excluded from the pardon:

Armed robbery or aggravated theft, or repeat offenders.

Drug-related crimes involving weapons or large-scale trafficking (over 100kg traditional drugs or over 2kg synthetic drugs).

Sale or trafficking of military firearms and ammunition.

Crimes against national/internal security (degree 3 and above).

Espionage, collaboration with hostile states or Israel, membership in illegal/terrorist groups, incitement to war, disclosure of military secrets.

Persistent offenders in prison or those committing new crimes in custody.

Kidnapping (unless pardoned by complainant or if sentence exceeds 5 years).

Acid attacks.

Establishment of centers of prostitution or corruption.

Embezzlement and bribery (unless full restitution and fine are paid by October 22, 2025).

Fraud, unless damages are compensated.

Counterfeiting currency or minting fake coins.

Major disruption of the national economy (unless restitution within 6 months from September 10, 2025).

Alcohol trafficking under Article 22 of the Anti-Smuggling Law.

Crimes subject to Hudud punishments.

Source: Mizan News Agency