IRAN’s evil mullahs are “playing” Donald Trump by stalling the executions of protesters until they launch a secret killing spree, it was feared today.
The Middle East was braced for US strikes on the Islamist regime after “help is on the way” after 17 days of bloody street strife.
A man lights a cigarette with fire from a burning picture of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali KhameneiCredit: Reuters
Families and residents gather at the Kahrizak Coroner’s Office confronting rows of body bags as they search for relatives killed during the regime’s violent crackdownCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Erfan Soltani, 26, will not be executed, Tehran confirmed
But US forces were held back after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced late on Wednesday: “There is no plan for hanging at all – hanging is out of the question.”
Trump backed down soon after, revealing he had accepted assurances that “killing in Iran is stopping”.
But Iranian sources warned yesterday that hundreds of prisoners among more than 18,000 believed to have been arrested were still in danger.
An Iranian refugee in contact with protesters told The Sun: “The regime is buying time by lying to Trump and they will do what they want once he loses focus.
“People are pleased that there have been no executions so far but that could change very quickly.”
Lindsay and Craig Foreman, a British couple currently detained in IranCredit: PA
Trump reacted to the reports on Truth Social, saying this is “good news”Credit: AP
The number of executions in Iran, usually by gruesome public hangings, has doubled in the past year as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei cracked down following June’s 12-day war with Israel.
Norwegian-based Iran Human Rights verified at least 1,500 executions up until the start of December, adding that many more have taken place since.
In 2024, IHR verified 975 executions – although the exact number is unclear as Iranian authorities do not give official figures.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency have reported at least 18,434 arrests during the protests across Iran in recent days with at least 2,600 people killed.
Those detained in secret jails and torture chambers include many university students and at least a dozen children aged between 15 and 17.
But US officials appeared to accept pledges from the tyrannical regime that no one would be put to death.
who was reported to have been sentenced to death within two days of his arrest.
Responding to reports that the regime will not execute him, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “This is good news. Hopefully, it will continue!”
The 26-year-old was arrested last Thursday in the city of Fardis, just west of Tehran.
Days later, authorities told his family his execution had been scheduled for Wednesday without giving any additional details.
Alongside other protesters, Soltani has been accused of “propaganda activities against the regime,” state media said.
State television did not release any further details, apart from his name, but it was later revealed that he is a resident of Fardis, Karaj, where he owns a clothes shop.
He was arrested “at his private residence”, Hengaw said in a statement.
Awyar Shekhi of Hengaw told the BBC on Wednesday she feared there were “many” cases like Soltani’s, but that there was little information about them because of the digital blackout.
Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, IranCredit: AP
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a televised message, after the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, in TehranCredit: Reuters
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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