Erfan Soltani’s family is urgently seeking assistance from Donald Trump to save the Iranian shopkeeper, who faces execution as the first anti-government protester killed by the regime amid widespread demonstrations. Erfan was granted a brief farewell with his relatives before receiving a death sentence from Iran’s authorities in the midst of a harsh crackdown on protests triggered by domestic economic issues. Scheduled for hanging today, Erfan’s impending execution adds to the rising death toll from the ongoing unrest challenging Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s long-standing rule.
Appealing for Trump’s intervention to halt Erfan’s execution, his family stressed the immediate need for American assistance. Somayeh, one of Soltani’s cousins, expressed on CNN the urgency of the situation, imploring Trump not to allow Erfan’s death. She highlighted the public’s reliance on Trump’s commitment to taking robust action against Iran if anti-government prisoners faced execution, emphasizing the trust placed in his words that prompted people to protest.
Somayeh conveyed her disbelief and sorrow upon learning of her cousin’s imminent death, likening the experience to a surreal nightmare. She described Erfan as a champion of basic freedoms in Iran, emphasizing his lifelong dedication to advocating for the country’s liberty, now tragically culminating in his impending execution.
Trump, through his Truth Social platform, encouraged Iranian protesters to persist in their demonstrations and warned authorities of consequences for the reported deaths of around 1,850 individuals. Promising assistance, he urged protesters to seize control of government institutions, signaling a halt in engagements with Iranian officials until the alleged brutality against demonstrators ceases.
While Iranian authorities have acknowledged a lower death toll, credible reports suggest a significantly higher number of casualties nearing 2,000. The judicial system in Iran is swiftly moving to prosecute protesters labeled as “rioters” and “terrorists,” with Erfan’s execution slated for January 14. Despite typically lengthy legal proceedings for death penalty cases, Iran maintains a high rate of executions, with over 2,000 cases reported in 2025 alone.
Somayeh refuted claims of violence by Erfan during protests, attributing any destruction to the regime’s actions and criticizing the fabrication of accusations against young individuals to justify their executions.
