Iranian authorities are moving forward with plans to hang 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, the first protester facing execution for his role in widespread anti-government demonstrations targeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. U.S. President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning overnight, threatening decisive retaliation if the execution takes place, as tensions between Washington and Tehran reach a boiling point.

The unrest erupted in late December 2025, initially driven by crippling inflation, a collapsing rial, and unaffordable food prices that hit bazaar merchants hardest in Tehran. Demonstrations quickly evolved into direct challenges to the regime, with chants against Khamenei echoing through over 180 cities and even drawing in former loyalists disillusioned by corruption and blackouts. Rights groups report at least 648 confirmed deaths, though unverified tallies suggest thousands more amid a near-total internet shutdown.

Soltani was arrested on January 8 near Tehran in Karaj, accused of waging war against God in a fast-tracked revolutionary court trial without lawyer access or due process. His family learned of the death sentence only hours before the scheduled execution today, fueling outrage among activists who see it as a desperate bid to deter the masses. This marks a grim escalation from mass arrests, with over 10,000 detained since the protests began.

Trump took to Truth Social and CBS, telling Iranians to keep protesting because help is on its way and explicitly cautioning against any hangings. Irans regime hit back hard, labeling Trump the main killer and accusing him of fomenting chaos, while pro-government rallies tried to project unity. UN human rights experts urged Tehran to halt the violence and open dialogue, warning of a deepening crisis. As the world holds its breath on this execution day, the stakes couldnt be higher—economic meltdown meets revolutionary fervor, with U.S. intervention looming large. Protesters are calling for a referendum on the regimes future, invoking figures like Reza Pahlavi, but whether this breaks Khameneis grip remains unclear.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.