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.
Speaking to CBS News, Trump warned of serious consequences, stating, 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 case has escalated concerns, with reports indicating that the court issued a death sentence in an expedited manner. A representative from the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights noted the rapid progression of this case as indicative of the government's oppressive tactics.
Earlier, Trump expressed his intent to attend a meeting at the White House to discuss the situation in Iran, aiming to acquire accurate information on the death toll from the protests. The Human Rights Activists News Agency has confirmed at least 2,403 deaths, including the deaths of children, amidst an internet blackout obstructing communications.
Trump has indicated that further analysis will inform U.S. actions, stating, Once he has the numbers, we'll act accordingly. He has suggested he might impose military and economic measures against Iran, including tariffs on countries that engage with Iranian trade.
Iran has dismissed U.S. accusations as an effort to fabricate a pretext for military intervention, with reports indicating at least 18,434 arrests associated with civil unrest challenging the regime since protests erupted over economic grievances and calls for political reform.
The nationwide protests have emerged as one of the gravest threats to the Iranian government since the 1979 revolution, met with violent crackdowns and severe censorship measures.
