Tehran has largely brought under control more than two weeks of violent anti-government protests in Iran over an economic crisis, with a harsh crackdown. According to the government, more than 2,000 protesters have been killed and more than 10,000 arrested in crackdowns by security forces and the IRGC.
Amid the situation, Iran is moving towards executing protesters.
According to Western media and human rights organizations, authorities are preparing to execute 26-year-old protester Erfan Soltanani on Wednesday (January 14). If carried out, the execution would be the first execution of a protester associated with the ongoing movement.
The government has branded the protesters “enemies of Allah” amid protests that have included arson at government buildings, desecration of the national flag, and demands for the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran has also threatened to execute activists with the support of the United States and Israel.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has threatened to take “very strong action” against Iran if the protesters are executed. In an interview, he said that the US will respond strongly if the executions are carried out. Iran has called Trump’s statements and provocative comments on the protests an attempt to create a pretext for military intervention. Iran’s mission to the United Nations has said that this US strategy will fail and its main goal is regime change.