Trump Announces Iran Will Not Execute Eight Female Protesters Following His Intervention
U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that Iran has agreed not to execute eight women who were accused of participating in protests against the Iranian regime. Trump made the announcement via a post on his Truth Social platform, stating that the executions had been scheduled for that evening but were halted after his personal request.
Details of the Announcement and Iranian Response
In his social media statement, Trump expressed appreciation for Iran's leaders respecting his appeal as President of the United States. He specified that four of the women would be released, while the other four would receive sentences of one month in prison. This development followed a previous post by Trump on Tuesday, where he had called for the women's release, reposting a message from pro-Israel activist Eyal Yakoby on X.
However, the Iranian judiciary quickly responded to Trump's claims, denying that any of the women were facing imminent execution. According to an Associated Press report, Iranian officials stated that some of the individuals had already been released prior to Trump's intervention. Additionally, a report from The Times of Israel, citing a human rights group, indicated that two of the eight women had been freed before Trump issued his request.
Identification of the Women and Broader Context
Although Trump did not name the women in his post, one has been identified as Bita Hemmati, a demonstrator involved in anti-government protests earlier this year. Hemmati faced multiple charges, including using explosives and weapons, and was reportedly the first woman sentenced to death in Iran over recent protests. Her husband, Mohammadreza Majid Asl, and two other men from their apartment building were also sentenced to death.
Concerns have been raised about forced confessions and interrogation pressures in these cases, as noted by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Other women include Diana Taherabadi, 16, Mahboubeh Shabani, 33, and Ensieh Nejati, a Kurdish women's rights activist sentenced to death last year.
Wider Crackdown and Execution Trends in Iran
HRANA reports that Iranian authorities have arrested over 50,000 people during nationwide protests, with a death toll from government crackdowns estimated at least 6,159. A recent report by two European non-governmental organizations highlighted that Iran executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, using the death penalty as a tool of political oppression. While most executions were for drug-related offences or murder, at least 57 involved security-related charges, including protesters and political prisoners.
This incident underscores ongoing human rights issues in Iran and the international attention they attract, particularly from U.S. political figures.
