After Trump issued consecutive tough warnings to Iran, a breakthrough appeared in Iran’s grim situation. Erfan Soltani, the young Iranian whose case drew global anxiety due to facing execution by hanging, was announced to have a postponement before the Jan. 14 deadline. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi even denied to the media that Iran “has any plans” to carry out a hanging. “Hanging is impossible.”
It appears that Trump and strong U.S. pressure forced Iranian authorities to start backing down.
The world is worried
On Jan. 14, countless people around the world worried about the fate of Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old Iranian man who appears sunny and energetic in photos. Yet reports indicated that the Iranian regime had decided to execute him simply because he took to the streets calling for freedom. The harsh truth is that he is just one of many facing execution at the hands of Iranian authorities.
As time passed second by second, news circulated online: “His family said that a few hours after the deadline for the death sentence, they had no idea whether he was alive or dead.”
Finally, reports emerged online that Erfan Soltani had not been executed.
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Execution not carried out on Wednesday
CNN reported: “According to his family and the Norway-based human rights organization Hengaw, Iranian protester Erfan Soltani’s death sentence was not carried out on Wednesday.”
“Somayeh, a relative of Soltani who requested anonymity for safety reasons, told CNN on Wednesday that the execution did not take place as planned earlier that day. However, she added that the death sentence has not been canceled, and she is still awaiting further news.”
Hengaw also reported Wednesday evening that Soltani’s execution had been postponed.
According to Hengaw, 26-year-old Soltani was arrested at his home last Thursday. Four days after his arrest, his family was informed that an execution had been scheduled.
His family said they stayed awake all night until dawn—that is the time of Iran’s morning prayers and when most executions take place. Every moment was filled with fear, worried it might be his last.
They described Erfan as “the most loving brother” and “a mother’s best friend.”
A relative, crying, asked: “How can anyone bear to put a rope around the neck of such a kind child and send him to death?”
She continued: “He is the apple of my eye, a brave child. He would never resort to violence. He has an incredibly calm and beautiful soul. Words cannot express what he means to me. The whole world, please help us, save our child.”
Human rights organizations confirmed that since the uprising in Iran began, over 18,000 protesters have been arrested. Behind every number is a family living in the same pain and fear.
Iran denies any hanging plan
The Jerusalem Post reported on the 14th that President Trump said he received word that the killings suppressing nationwide protests in Iran were stopping, and he believed there were no plans for mass executions at present.
In the Oval Office, he said: “We have received news that the killings inside Iran are stopping, and there are no plans to carry out executions. Killings have stopped. Executions have stopped. There is no plan to conduct mass executions or to execute individuals. I received this from authoritative sources. We will verify it. I am certain I would be very angry if such events occurred.”
In an interview with Fox News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran “has no plan” to execute anyone.
“There is no plan for hanging,” the foreign minister said. “Hanging is impossible.”
Earlier on Wednesday, two European officials told Reuters that U.S. military intervention in Iran could occur within 24 hours.
A Western military official told Reuters later on Wednesday: “All signals indicate that a U.S. strike is ready to launch… unpredictability is part of its strategy.”
