Washington/Tehran: US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, vowing “very strong action” if Tehran goes ahead with what rights groups describe as the first execution of a protester during the ongoing nationwide unrest.
The warning comes amid reports that 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, detained last week during anti-government demonstrations, is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday. If carried out, the execution would mark the first known case of an Iranian protester being put to death since the current wave of protests erupted, significantly escalating the crisis.
Relatives of Soltani told BBC Persian that he was sentenced to death following an “extremely rapid” judicial process that concluded within just two days. The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights said it had “never witnessed a case move so quickly,” raising alarm over what it called a deliberate attempt by authorities to instil fear and suppress dissent.
Speaking to CBS News, Trump warned Iran against carrying out executions of protesters. “If they hang them, you’re going to see some things,” he said. “We will take very strong action if they do such a thing.” Trump added that he was seeking “accurate numbers” on the death toll from the protests before deciding the next course of action.
Human rights groups estimate that more than 2,400 protesters have been killed in a violent crackdown by Iranian security forces, with over 18,000 arrests reported. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said the victims include at least 12 children. Iranian officials have disputed the figures, claiming around 2,000 deaths and blaming “terrorists” for the violence.
The protests, sparked by economic hardship and the collapse of Iran’s currency, have spread to around 180 cities and towns across all 31 provinces, evolving into one of the most serious challenges to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution. Authorities have responded with lethal force, mass arrests, and an extended internet shutdown.
Iran’s judiciary has signalled a hardline stance, with officials saying those involved in the unrest will be dealt with “severely,” including through charges such as “enmity against God,” an offence that carries the death penalty.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged Iran to immediately halt violence against protesters and warned that the use of expedited trials and the death penalty would constitute grave violations of human rights.
As international pressure mounts, the possible execution of Soltani is being closely watched, with observers warning that it could set a dangerous precedent and further inflame tensions between Iran and the West.
