A 26-year-old Iranian protester is expected to be executed today for his participation in the anti-government protests that are shaking Iran, while Donald Trump openly calls on citizens to "keep protesting" and promises that "help is on the way", provoking a strong diplomatic reaction from Tehran.
The US president, in fact, when asked in an interview with CBS about Soltani's execution, warned of very tough measures if the young Iranian is executed. "We will take very tough measures. If they do something like that, we will take very tough measures," he said characteristically, while when asked to clarify what he meant, Mr. Trump referred to the recent US operation in Venezuela and the assassination of the then leader of the Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in 2019.
"We don't want to see what's happening in Iran. And, you know, if they want to protest, that's one thing. When they start killing thousands of people. And now you're telling me about hangings. We'll see how that works out for them. It won't work out for them," the US president added.
According to the Norwegian human rights organization Hengaw, Erfan Soltani, from the city of Fardis west of Tehran, is set to be executed later today. Soltani was arrested in connection with protests in the city of Karaj.
The organization alleges that his family was informed of the death sentence but was “deliberately kept in the dark” about the legal process. It says that “the rushed and non-transparent handling of the case heightens concerns that the death penalty is being used as a tool to suppress protests.”
Indicative of the cruelty of the Tehran regime is the information from NGOs that Soltani had only 10 minutes to say goodbye to his family, with Iranian security officials informing relatives that it would be their last farewell before the young man faced the executioner. According to the organization Iran Human Rights (IHR), Soltani was also not allowed access to a lawyer or a trial, while “even a close relative who is a lawyer when he tried to take on the case was blocked and threatened by security agents. He was told: ‘There is no file to examine. We have announced that anyone arrested during the protests will be executed.’”
Soltani's family has also reportedly been threatened with arrest if they try to speak publicly about the case or contact the media, according to Iranwire.
Trump: "Keep protesting, help is on the way"
Donald Trump, in a post on the Truth Social platform, called on Iranian protesters to "keep protesting," warning that "murderers and abusers will pay a big price," without, however, specifying what form the promised aid could take.
Trump's new threats shortly before the hanging of the first protester in Iran: We will take very tough measures if you do it
In an interview with CBS News, the US president said he would take "very strong action" if the Iranian regime proceeded to hang protesters. At the same time, the US called on its citizens to "leave Iran immediately", preferably via Turkey or Armenia, while J.D. Vance convened a meeting of the National Security Council in which Trump also participated.
Secret contacts and political processes
Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, reportedly had a secret meeting over the weekend with the exiled former crown prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, who is attempting to emerge as a central figure in the opposition after the outbreak of protests.
At the same time, Iranian diplomacy launched a fierce attack against Trump, with a letter from Iran's permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeed Iravani, to the Security Council. In the letter, which was also shared with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Iravani accuses the American president of "openly encouraging political destabilization," "inciting violence," and "a direct threat to the national sovereignty and security of the Islamic Republic."
According to Tehran, "the United States and the Israeli regime bear direct and undeniable legal responsibility for the loss of lives of innocent civilians, especially young ones."
Over 2.000 dead in 17 days
The human cost of the crackdown is heavy. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports that it has confirmed at least 2.403 deaths in 17 days, including 1.850 protesters, 135 government-affiliated individuals, nine unrelated civilians, and nine children, despite a near-total internet blackout.
An Iranian official confirmed to Reuters that the death toll had reached 2.000, but attributed the casualties to “terrorists.” Meanwhile, the Norwegian Iran Human Rights reports at least 734 dead protesters.
The protests have spread to about 180 cities and towns and 31 provinces in the country, constituting, according to analysts, the most serious challenge to the Iranian theocratic regime since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Source: protothema.gr
