As nationwide protests continue to shake Iran, reports suggest that authorities were set to carry out the first execution linked to the unrest on Wednesday. According to Iran International, a 26-year-old anti-government protester, Erfan Soltani, was sentenced to death and was allegedly due to be hanged.
Soltani was arrested on January 8 during demonstrations in Fardias, an area in west Tehran. Sources close to his family shared this information, which was later passed on to the Oslo-based rights group Iran Human Rights. However, officials have not clearly stated the exact charges brought against him.
Growing International Pressure on Iran
Meanwhile, Iran is facing mounting global criticism over its harsh response to the protests. Reports indicate that the death toll from the crackdown has crossed 2,500, raising serious human rights concerns.
Tensions have also increased between Iran’s government and the United States. US President Donald Trump publicly urged Iranians to continue protesting, saying they should "keep protesting" and that "help is on its way".
Iran Reacts to Trump’s Remarks
Trump’s comments drew strong condemnation from Iran’s leadership. The Iranian regime accused the US President of trying to destabilise the country politically. Officials claimed he was encouraging violence and threatening Iran’s national sovereignty.
Conflicting Death Toll Figures
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 2,571 people had been killed as of early Wednesday. In contrast, Iranian state television admitted that the country had suffered a "lot of martyrs" but stopped short of releasing any official death count.
Protests Rooted in Economic Anger
The protests first erupted in late December, driven by public anger over Iran’s struggling economy. Over time, the demonstrations expanded beyond economic issues and began targeting the country’s theocratic leadership.
Many protests reportedly included chants and graffiti aimed at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Some slogans allegedly called for his death, an offence that can carry the death penalty under Iranian law.