Trump warns of ‘very strong’ action if Tehran executes protesters

Rights groups say over 2,403 protesters have been killed

26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was detained last week, is due to be executed today (Wednesday, January 14), according to his relatives, per the BBC.

A representative from the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights also told the BBC that they had "never witnessed a case move so quickly".

Speaking to CBS News, the US President spoke on the potential executions: "If they hang them, you're going to see some things... We will take very strong action if they do such a thing."

According to Soltani's relative, who spoke to BBC Persian, the Iranian court had issued a death sentence "in an extremely rapid process, within just two days".

Awyar Shekhi, a representative of Hengaw, stated that the case illustrates how the Iranian government is "using every tactic they know to suppress people and spread fear".

Trump previously said that he had planned a meeting at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Iran, hoping to get "accurate numbers" on the death toll regarding the protests.

As reported by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the death toll stands at 2,403 protesters, as well as 12 children.

The group claimed that 150 people affiliated with the government have also been killed, per the BBC.

"The killing looks like it's significant, but we don't know yet for certain," Trump told reporters while returning to the White House.

Once he has the numbers, he said, "We'll act accordingly."

Yesterday, Trump took to his Truth Social to say that Iranian authorities would "pay a big price" for the killings, and urged people to "keep protesting".

"I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!," he wrote, using the acronym for a US-based Iranian opposition slogan, "Make Iran Great Again".