Erfan Soltani’s family is urgently appealing to former President Donald Trump for assistance in saving the Iranian shopkeeper. Erfan faces imminent execution by the Iranian regime, marking the first anti-government protester to be sentenced to death following widespread demonstrations.
Given only a brief 10-minute farewell with his loved ones, Erfan received the death penalty from Iran’s authorities amidst their severe crackdown on protests triggered by internal economic issues. His scheduled hanging today adds to the growing death toll of thousands of individuals amidst the ongoing unrest, posing a significant challenge to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s four-decade rule.
Expressing their distress, Erfan’s relatives implore Trump to intervene and halt the execution, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Somayeh, one of Soltani’s cousins, conveyed the family’s plea for help from the American administration, stressing the critical need to prevent Erfan’s death.
In an emotional interview with CNN, Somayeh recounted her shock upon learning of her cousin’s impending execution, describing the surreal feeling as if she were trapped in a nightmare. She highlighted Erfan’s advocacy for fundamental freedoms in Iran, underscoring his commitment to the country’s liberty and lamenting his tragic fate under the shadow of the gallows.
Trump, in response to the escalating crisis in Iran, urged the public to continue protesting against the regime, warning of severe consequences for authorities responsible for the reported 1,850 deaths. He assured that assistance is forthcoming and urged Iranian protesters to seize control of governmental institutions to effect change.
While Iranian officials officially acknowledge 600 fatalities, credible reports suggest a much higher death toll nearing 2,000. The judiciary’s expedited legal actions against protesters, labeled as “rioters” and “terrorists,” have raised concerns about the fairness of trials, with Erfan’s execution slated for January 14.
Somayeh refuted claims of violence by Erfan during protests, attributing any destruction to the regime’s fabrication of charges against young demonstrators. Iran, despite its reputation for prolonged legal processes, maintains one of the world’s highest rates of executions, with over 2,000 cases reported in 2025 alone.