United States President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to the Iranian regime, threatening 'very strong action' if it carries out the execution of anti-government protesters. The warning comes amidst escalating tensions and reports that at least 2,000 people have died in the recent unrest.
Trump's Direct Warning on National Television
In an interview with CBS news anchor Tony Dokoupil that aired on the evening of Tuesday, January 13, 2026, President Trump was unequivocal in his message to Tehran. 'We will take very strong action. If they do such a thing, we will take very strong action,' he stated. He expressed grave concern over the regime's violent crackdown, which has seen armed forces confront demonstrators with lethal force.
Trump elaborated on the US position, saying, 'We don't want to see what's happening in Iran happen. And you know, if they want to have protests, that's one thing, when they start killing thousands of people, and now you're telling me about hanging — we'll see how that works out for them. It's not going to work out good.' He also claimed that 'a lot of help is on the way' for the Iranian people, in various forms including economic assistance, though he offered few specifics beyond referencing past US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The First Execution and a Brutal Crackdown
The immediate trigger for the heightened international alarm is the planned execution of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani. According to human rights groups, the young father and clothes shop owner was arrested at his home in Fardis, central Iran, after allegedly participating in protests last week.
He is set to be the first person executed in direct connection with the recent wave of demonstrations. Disturbingly, reports indicate he was given just ten minutes with his family before his scheduled hanging on Wednesday, January 14.
The protests, which aim to challenge the theocratic regime that has ruled since 1979, have been met with extreme violence. Videos from the capital, Tehran, have shown body bags lined up in morgues, painting a grim picture of the human cost.
Diplomatic Fallout and Regime Response
Prior to the television interview, President Trump took to social media on Tuesday to warn Iranian officials they would 'pay a big price' for any violence, while telling Iranian citizens that 'HELP IS ON ITS WAY.' This rhetoric has further inflamed diplomatic relations between the two long-standing adversaries.
Iran has responded defiantly to the American threats. The regime has stated that the United States would be considered a 'legitimate target' should any military strikes proceed. This exchange underscores the severe risk of the situation spiralling into a broader international conflict, as the world watches the unfolding human rights catastrophe and the fate of those, like Erfan Soltani, facing imminent execution.
