Update on man set to be executed in Iran after Trump warned ‘very strong action’

Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old shopkeeper, was arrested and sentenced to loss of life after collaborating in a protest in Fardis, west of Tehran, on January 8. The protests and demonstrations have been triggered by the collapse of Iran’s forex, the rial, on December 28, with residents demanding political reform.

The anti-regime protests which have swept the nation witnessed the killing of hundreds in a crackdown by authorities, rights teams declare, whereas Erfan Soltani stays the only particular person dealing with execution following an arrest.

Hengaw, an Iranian Kurdish rights group, claimed Soltani had been denied entry to authorized counsel, with a relative telling BBC Persian that an Iranian court docket had issued a loss of life sentence “in a particularly speedy course of, inside simply two days.”

Erfan Soltani/ Hengaw Group for Human Rights

The household had reached to US President Donald Trump for assist, hoping he would stand on Iran’s method of continuing with the execution, which is strictly what Trump did.

“Our demand now’s that Trump actually stand behind the phrases he mentioned, as a result of the Iranian folks got here to the streets primarily based on these statements,” she instructed CNN. “An unarmed inhabitants trusted these phrases and is now underneath gunfire. I urge you, please don’t let Erfan be executed. Please.”

Trump warned that the US would “take very sturdy motion” if “peaceable protestors” have been executed by Iran. Chatting with CBS Information, the POTUS mentioned, “We don’t wish to see what’s taking place in Iran occur.

“And you understand, in the event that they wish to have protests, that’s one factor, after they begin killing hundreds of individuals, and now you’re telling me about hanging – we’ll see how that works out for them. It’s not going to work out good.”

He then threatened that Iranian officers would pay a “huge value” if protesters of the regime have been put to loss of life.

Trump additionally took to Reality Social to precise his stand on the doable execution of younger Soltani.

Following Trump’s threats, Soltani’s execution has been postponed.

The US State Division and the US digital embassy in Iran launched a discover saying Americans ought to go away Iran now if it’s secure to take action. They suggested People to think about departing by land by neighboring nations like Turkey or Armenia, since flights and journey could also be disrupted.

Trump additionally introduced on Monday that any nations doing enterprise with Iran will face 25% tariffs from the US, Information Sky reported. Nonetheless, whereas a number of European nations – together with France, Spain, Finland, Belgium, UK, and Germany – known as in Iranian ambassadors in response to the violence, China, Iran’s prime buying and selling associate, has pushed again towards Trump’s 25% tariff on commerce with the regime.

Tehran, Iran protests on January 8, 2026/ Getty Pictures

Soltani’s household is aware of little to nothing about his situation. A good friend of the household instructed The Guardian earlier than the keep of execution was revealed: “I spoke to his household yesterday and all I do know is that they have been attempting to go to him in jail. I haven’t slept in two days.”

She added: “How can anybody have the guts to place a rope around the neck of such a form baby and ship him to die?”

Addressing the US president straight, she mentioned: “Our demand now’s that Trump actually stand behind the phrases he mentioned, as a result of the Iranian folks got here to the streets primarily based on these statements.

“An unarmed inhabitants trusted these phrases and is now underneath gunfire. I urge you, please don’t let Erfan be executed. Please.”

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