What Is the Punishment for Threatening to Kill or Cause Financial Harm in Iranian Law?

Introduction

“I’ll kill you if you report this.” “If you don’t pay me, I’ll destroy your business.” “If you speak out, I’ll hurt your child.”

These types of statements are unfortunately not uncommon in society. But are such threats considered crimes under Iranian law? Yes — threats of bodily harm, death, or financial or reputational damage are criminal offenses in Iran, with clearly defined punishments. In this article, we explain in simple and practical terms what legally constitutes a threat, how it is punished, and how to file a complaint.

What Does "Threat" Mean Legally?

A threat means: intentionally frightening or intimidating another person — verbally, in writing, or by action — with the aim of coercing them to do or not do something, or simply to cause mental distress.

Examples of criminal threats:

Threatening to kill or injure someone

Threatening to expose private photos or videos

Threatening to set fire to someone’s house or property

Threatening to kidnap a child or cause financial loss

Legal Basis for Threat as a Crime

Article 669 of the Islamic Penal Code (Ta'zirat Section): “Anyone who threatens another, by any means, with murder, bodily harm, damage to reputation, financial harm, or disclosure of secrets — whether the threat is carried out or not — shall be sentenced to two months to two years of imprisonment or up to 74 lashes.”

Important: The threat itself is a crime — even if no actual harm occurs.

What Types of Threats Are Criminal?

A threat becomes a criminal offense if:

It causes reasonable fear or distress

It concerns life, body, property, honor, or personal secrets

It is made with intent to frighten or pressure the person

Examples include:

Threatening to release private videos

Threatening to falsely report someone to the authorities

Threatening to physically attack or harm someone

Threatening to damage someone's vehicle, store, or home

Does the Threat Have to Be in Person?

No. The threat can be communicated in any form:

Spoken (in person or by phone)

Written (texts, letters, WhatsApp, Telegram, email)

Visual or audio (videos, voice notes, recordings)