Iran sending protesters to gallows escalates tensions as Trump warns Tehran of military action, points out to 2025 bombing of its nuclear facilities

In an escalation of international tensions, 26-year-old Iranian protester Erfan Soltani has become the focus of global attention as Iran’s harsh crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests met sharp public opposition from US President Donald Trump. Iranian authorities reportedly sentenced Soltani to death for his alleged participation in demonstrations, a decision that has drawn condemnation from rights groups and triggered a direct warning from Trump that the United States would take “very strong action” if Tehran proceeds with executions of protesters.

Soltani, a clothing shop employee from Karaj near Tehran, was arrested amid protests that erupted in late December 2025 over severe economic hardship and political grievances. Human rights groups say he was denied legal representation and received a rapid death sentence on charges of “moharebeh” (waging war against God), a charge frequently used in Iran against dissidents.

His family was reportedly informed only days before the scheduled execution, which was widely expected to be carried out by hanging, according to human rights monitors.


The unrest in Iran has been met with a brutal government response. Rights organizations estimate thousands of protesters have been killed and tens of thousands arrested since demonstrations began, though the exact toll remains uncertain due to internet blackouts and media restrictions.

Trump’s public support and warning

In unprecedented public comments, President Trump openly supported the protest movement while warning the Iranian regime against executions. In a Truth Social post, he called on Iranians to “KEEP PROTESTING” and declared that “help is on the way,” canceling planned diplomatic engagements with Tehran until the violence stops.

Trump told CBS Evening News "Well, let's define it in Venezuela. Let's define it with [ISIS leader] al-Baghdadi. He was wiped out. Let's define it with [Iranian military commander] Soleimani. And let's define it in Iran, where, wiped out their Iran nuclear threat in a period of about 15 minutes once the B-2s got there.”

“We don't want to see what's happening in Iran happen. And, you know, if they want to have protests, that's one thing. When they start killing thousands of people and now you're telling me about hanging, we'll see how that works out for them. It's not gonna work out good," he added.

Trump’s remarks, unusual for a sitting US president, mark a clear geopolitical escalation. They reflect both an effort to support an embattled protest movement and a strategic attempt to pressure Iran’s ruling clerics.

Execution postponed

Following international outcry, including Trump’s warning, reports emerged that Soltani’s execution had been postponed, which was initially scheduled for Wednesday, reported CBS News. Though details on his fate remain unclear amid the crackdown and limited information flows from inside Iran.

Despite Iran’s denials of planned hangings and conflicting official messaging, the case has intensified scrutiny of Tehran’s judicial practices and the broader repression of dissent.