A "large number" of prisoners are to be pardoned in Iran to mark the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

Although state TV in Iran has not confirmed the exact figure, previous reports suggested up to 50,000 prisoners would either be released or have their sentences reduced.

The ruling was passed by Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who has the final say on all major policies.

There are about 240,000 prisoners in Iran.

The country is celebrating the anniversary of the 1979 revolution which toppled a Western-backed monarchy and heralded the start of four decades of clerical rule.


Iran is holding several dual citizens with Western nationality on allegations of threatening national security - it is unknown if any of these prisoners will be included in the pardon.

Among those is Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British mother who is accused of "plotting to overthrow the Iranian regime".

She had been in Iran to visit her family for Nowruz, the traditional New Year festival, with her young daughter.