In brief
President Donald Trump has declared that the US will respond with 'very strong action' if Iran carries out executions of protesters, following reports of escalating violence and government crackdowns on demonstrators. The pledge comes as reports confirm over 2,400 anti-government protesters have been killed amid widespread unrest in Iran. Trump's comments highlight increasing international concern regarding Iran's handling of dissent and the ongoing protests that challenge the regime since its inception.
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 warned of serious repercussions: '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 reported that an Iranian court issued a death sentence within just two days. Awyar Shekhi from Hengaw remarked that the Iranian government is using extreme measures to suppress dissent.Amidst the protests, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has confirmed the deaths of 2,403 people, including children, despite an ongoing internet blackout.Trump, who is considering military and economic responses, has announced tariffs on countries trading with Iran and promised to gather 'accurate numbers' on the unfolding crisis during a White House meeting this week. Earlier tweets from Trump further indicated that Iranian authorities would 'pay a big price' for the killings, and he encouraged ongoing protests, stating, 'HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!' The Iranian government's fatal crackdown has intensified, with reports of over 18,434 arrests, escalating demands for political change, and a response from Iranian officials blaming 'terrorists' for the unrest. The protests, which erupted against the backdrop of economic strife, have now spread throughout the country and pose a significant challenge to the regime since the 1979 revolution. The situation remains dire, with hospitals overwhelmed, shortages of medical supplies reported, and a government firm on treating protestors with severe penalties, including the death penalty.
