Iran halts execution of protester after TRUMP threatens ‘strong’ response

Thursday, January 15, 2026 - Iran has appeared to bow to pressure from the United States after postponing the execution of a 26-year-old clothes shop owner who was scheduled to be hanged on Wednesday, January 14.

Erfan Soltani became the first protester in the latest wave of unrest in Iran to receive a death sentence after taking part in demonstrations last week. His family had publicly appealed to President Donald Trump to intervene.

In response to the sentence, Trump warned that the United States would take “very strong action” if the Iranian authorities began executing detained protesters, adding: “If they hang them, you’re going to see something.”

Following those remarks, Soltani’s family said they were informed that his execution would no longer go ahead as planned.

However, they cautioned that the sentence has only been postponed, not overturned, and that Soltani, who is being held in solitary confinement at Ghezel Hesar prison, could still face execution at any time.

Hours later, Trump said he had been told “on good authority” that plans for executions had stopped, even as Tehran signaled that fast-track trials and harsh punishments could continue as part of its crackdown on protests.

Human rights groups say the toll from the unrest has been severe. According to the organisation Iran Human Rights, more than 3,400 people have been killed by Iranian security forces since protests erupted in late December.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has denied that there is any plan to carry out executions linked to the protests. Speaking in a television interview, he said hanging was “out of the question,” despite longstanding reports from rights groups that executions are common in Iranian prisons. 

Araqchi also claimed that days of peaceful demonstrations over economic hardship were followed by violence that he alleged was orchestrated by Israel, adding that calm had since been restored.

Amid the rising tension, Iran has closed its airspace, fueling fears of possible US military action. Asked whether military intervention remains an option, Trump said he is closely monitoring developments.

“We’re going to watch and see what the process is,” he told reporters, adding that he had received “a very good statement” from people familiar with the situation