The Iranian regime is moving forward with the execution of a 26-year-old shopkeeper, drawing international condemnation and a stark warning from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Erfan Soltani faces hanging after being convicted for participating in the widespread anti-government protests that have shaken the country for over two weeks.
A Death Sentence Without Due Process
According to the U.S. State Department, Soltani "is the first protester to be sentenced to execution." His planned public hanging was reportedly scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, though internet blackouts imposed by the government have made independent confirmation impossible.
The Norway-based human rights group Hengaw provided distressing details of the case. Soltani's family, who live near Tehran, was granted only one final visit before the planned execution. His sister, a lawyer, attempted to intervene but was told by authorities there was nothing she could do. The family was not informed of the execution method, though hanging is the most common form of capital punishment in Iran.
Critically, Soltani was denied fundamental legal rights. He was not given access to a defense lawyer, nor was he allowed to counter the charges against him in anything resembling a fair trial. The U.S. State Department stated on X that "the Islamic Republic regime didn't even bother with its usual 10-minute sham trial."
International Outcry and Trump's Warning
The case has triggered a forceful response from former U.S. President Donald Trump. In an interview with CBS, Trump issued a direct threat to Iran's rulers: "If they hang them, you're going to see some things... We will take very strong action if they do such a thing."
This warning underscores the international stakes of Iran's crackdown. The protests, initially sparked by the country's dire economic situation, have rapidly evolved into a broader challenge to the theocratic regime. Iranian officials have labeled demonstrators as "mohareb" (enemies of God), terrorists, and foreign-linked agitators—charges that carry the death penalty.
Mounting Toll and a Regime Digging In
The human cost of the unrest continues to climb. The NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR) estimates that more than 2,600 protesters have been killed, a figure that includes deaths from police firing into crowds. An Iranian state official gave a lower estimate of about 2,000 fatalities in a statement to Reuters.
Authorities show no sign of relenting. Iran's Judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, declared that protesters would be "dealt with seriously and severely." Prosecutors have stated that some will face the capital charge of "enmity against God."
As the world watches, the fate of Erfan Soltani has become a grim symbol. The U.S. State Department's ominous prediction that "he won't be the last" sentenced to death suggests a dangerous new phase in Iran's suppression of dissent, setting the stage for a potential international confrontation.
