The execution of Erfan Solatani, a 26-year-old protester who was arrested amid the current wave of anti-government protests in Iran, has been postponed. The development was confirmed by the US President Donald Trump in a surprise announcement from the White House.
The US President said he received assurances from ‘very important sources’ that Tehran would halt the executions, though he noted he would ‘watch and see’ regarding threatened military strikes.
“They’ve said the killing has stopped and the executions won’t take place — there were supposed to be a lot of executions today and that the executions won’t take place — and we’re going to find out,” Trump said.
Who is Erfan Soltani?
Solatani has come into focus after human rights groups stated he may be executed in what may be the first hanging related to the current wave of anti-government protests in Iran. He has participated in the recent demonstrations against the regime of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He is a resident of Fardis in the Karaj suburb near Tehran.
All about Solatni’s death sentence
According to a report by The New York Post, Solatani was arrested during a protest in Karaj last week. The Iran Human Rights (IHR) AND National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFD) stated that he is “allegedly scheduled to be hanged to death.” “His family was informed that he had been sentenced to death and that the sentence is due to be carried out on 14 January.”
The New York Post, quoting NUFD, reported that Solatni’s “only crime is calling for freedom for Iran.” It added that Soltani is allegedly unable to take legal advice for defending himself. He has been blamed for “waging war against God,” a charge that can carry the death sentence as per Iranian law.
According to NDTV reports, Soltani’s alleged execution orders cannot be verified because of a communication blackout. It also mentions that he was denied access to legal counsel and was not given an opportunity to defend himself before the death sentence was announced.
The activists mentioned that Soltani was only permitted to meet his family for 10 minutes only on January 11 to say goodbye. His sister, who is described as a licensed lawyer, was reportedly blocked from seeing his file and was stopped from representing him.
US President Donald Trump warned Tehran that violence against protestors could escalate the response. In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is not seeking war, but it is fully prepared for war,” as quoted by The US Sun.
Thousands have taken to the streets since late December 2025, demanding political reform and economic relief. As per a report from Reuters, activists and right organisation reported that over 18,000 people have been detained, and a rights monitoring group estimates the death toll may exceed 2,500.