U.S. president Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran’s clerical leadership, pledging “very strong action” if Tehran proceeds with the threatened hanging of anti-government protesters. The warning comes as international outrage continues to grow over Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide demonstrations, which represent one of the most serious challenges to the regime in recent years.
Trump made clear that the United States would not ignore the execution of protesters. “We will take very strong action if they do such a thing,” he said, responding to reports that Iranian authorities may begin carrying out death sentences. Trump condemned the scale of violence, adding that Iran was already “killing thousands of people” and now appeared to be escalating further by considering hangings.
Iranian prosecutors have announced that some detained protesters could face capital charges of moharebeh, or “waging war against God.” The U.S. State Department reported that 26-year-old protester Erfan Soltani has been sentenced to death, stating that more than 10,600 Iranians have been arrested during the unrest.
Human rights groups accuse Iranian security forces of fatally shooting demonstrators and concealing the true extent of the crackdown through a prolonged internet blackout, now lasting more than five days. Verified videos circulating online show rows of bodies at the Kahrizak morgue near Tehran, as grieving families search for missing relatives.
Trump has openly expressed support for the protesters, urging them on Truth Social to “KEEP PROTESTING” and declaring that “HELP IS ON ITS WAY.” He also said he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the killings stop.
