Trump Threatens Action Over Iran's Potential Executions of Protesters

Wed Jan 14 2026 15:05:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a recent statement, former President Donald Trump expressed strong condemnation towards Iran's government following reports of planned executions of protesters, vowing significant repercussions if such actions are carried out.

Former President Trump has reacted strongly to the escalating violence in Iran where rights groups report over 2,400 protesters killed. With the threat of executing detainees like Erfan Soltani looming, Trump vowed that the US would take 'very strong action' if such executions occur. Amidst widespread protests against the Iranian regime, Trump has promised to hold direct discussions on the situation, emphasizing that Iranian authorities will 'pay a big price' for harming protesters.

President Donald Trump has said the US will take very strong action against Iran if it executes protesters, as rights groups say more than 2,400 anti-government demonstrators have been killed in a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities.

Relatives of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was detained last week, have told BBC Persian that he is due to be executed on Wednesday.

A representative from the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights also told the BBC that they had never witnessed a case move so quickly. Speaking to CBS News, Trump said of potential executions: If they hang them, you're going to see some things... We will take very strong action if they do such a thing.

Soltani's relative mentioned that an Iranian court had issued a death sentence in an extremely rapid process, within just two days. Awyar Shekhi from Hengaw said the case exemplifies the Iranian government using fear tactics to suppress dissent.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 2,403 people, including 12 children, have been killed in the ongoing protests, leading to calls for international intervention. Trump has mentioned that he is planning to attend a meeting at the White House to assess the situation further, promising to act accordingly once he obtains accurate data regarding the deaths.

The Iranian government continues to refute these figures, attributing the violence to terrorists while maintaining that protesters will be dealt with severely. Hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed with casualties, prompting an urgent call from the UN for the Iranian authorities to cease violent repression against peaceful demonstrators.