01/15/2026, 07:33January 15, 2026, 08:11
The story of Erfan Soltani (26) went around the world: The young man should will be executed in Iran on Wednesdayafter he demonstrated on the streets in the city of Karaj against the mullahs’ regime. As a family member of Soltani now tells AP, the execution has at least been postponed. But he will not be released for the time being.
Erfan Soltani, 26 years old, is to be executed in Iran.Image: X
The planned executions in Iran are causing international criticism. US President Donald Trump threatened the country with retaliation if these were carried out. “We will react very harshly,” said Trump in an interview with the TV station CBS.
Trump later announced that the US had received information that there were no plans for executions in Iran. “We were told that the killings in Iran would stop,” said the Republican in the White House. Trump emphasized that he hoped it was true.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said afterwards that there were no executions as a result of the mass protests. There is no plan at all to hang people, said Araghtschi in an interview with the US broadcaster Fox News. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, death sentences are usually carried out by hanging on the gallows. (dab)