Erfan Soltani Hinge: Iran is set to execute Erfan Soltani today, while Trump has threatened "severe action" if this happens. Erfan's family has held their final meeting.

Who is Irfan Sultani?

Iran is set to execute 26-year-old Erfan Soltani in the first protest-related execution, which comes amid widespread protests against the regime of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Irfan was sentenced in two days.

Erfan Sultani is a resident of Fardis, a neighborhood near the city of Karaj, west of Tehran. He was arrested on January 8, 2026, for participating in ongoing protests in Karaj. According to human rights organizations and sources close to his family, his sentence was carried out very quickly. The court pronounced the death sentence within just two days of his arrest. He was not given the opportunity to meet with a lawyer or attend a trial.

On January 11th (Monday), the family was informed that the sentence would be executed by hanging on January 14th, 2026. The family was allowed to meet him for only 10 minutes, which was described as his final meeting.

Accused of waging war against God

The charges against Irfan primarily relate to his participation in protests, and some reports suggest he has been accused of "waging war against God," a crime punishable by death in Iran. The family says Irfan was not a prominent political activist, but rather belonged to a segment of the younger generation who were dissatisfied with the current state of the country.

Trump attacks Iran's attitude.

This case is significant because it could be the first execution related to the current protests. Human rights organizations are calling it a hasty and non-transparent process, violating international law. US President Donald Trump has also warned that if Iran follows suit, the US will take "very strong action" and that aid to the protesters is "on the way."

Protests against the government across the country

The protests began on December 28, 2025, in Tehran's Grand Bazaar against economic hardships such as inflation, the fall of the Iranian rial, and rising prices of essential commodities. They soon spread across the country, raising slogans against the government. It is considered the largest protest movement in decades.

According to human rights organizations such as Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), Hengav Organization, and Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), more than 2,500 people have been killed in the protests so far. Several reports put the figure at over 2,000, including children. Thousands have been arrested, and internet and calling services have been virtually shut down across the country.