Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could take “very strong action” against Iran as the country approaches the reported execution of a young protester, raising the prospect of U.S. military involvement amid one of the bloodiest crackdowns in the Islamic Republic’s recent history.
Speaking in an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Trump said Washington would respond forcefully if Iranian authorities proceed with executing demonstrators. His remarks came as reports emerged that Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old shopkeeper, could become the first protester to be executed over the unrest, with his hanging expected around dawn in Tehran.
“If they hang them, you’re going to see some things,” Trump said during the interview, conducted as he toured a Ford factory in Detroit. Asked whether such executions would cross a U.S. “red line,” Trump replied that he had not yet seen confirmation but warned: “We will take very strong action if they do such a thing.”
Pressed on what that response might entail, Trump kept his options deliberately vague. “If they want to have protests, that’s one thing. When they start killing thousands of people now you’re telling me about hanging, we’ll see how that works out for them. It’s not going to work out good,” he said.
Trump has also fueled speculation through social media, telling Iranians that “help is on its way” and urging protesters to continue their demonstrations and document abuses by the authorities. When asked later what that “help” might involve, the president responded: “You’re going to find out.”
U.S. officials say Trump has been briefed on a range of options, including military, cyber, and economic measures, as advisers weigh how to respond to Iran’s actions. While no decision has been announced, Trump has acknowledged that military action is among the possibilities under consideration. “We’ll act accordingly,” he said after returning to the Washington area from Detroit, adding that he was awaiting a detailed report on the situation in Iran.
The looming execution of Soltani has drawn particular attention. Human rights activists say he was arrested for participating in protests and that his family was informed only days later of his detention and imminent execution. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, more than 10,700 people have been arrested since demonstrations began on December 28, initially sparked by soaring inflation, the collapse of Iran’s currency, and widespread economic hardship.
An Iranian human rights group has said the death toll from the unrest has surpassed 2,000, while some activists and foreign observers believe the true number could be far higher. Most of the reported victims are protesters, despite repeated warnings from Trump that targeting civilians could provoke U.S. intervention.
Executions in Iran typically take place around the dawn call to prayer, intensifying international anxiety as the deadline approaches. Human rights advocates say Soltani, who owned a clothing shop and had no history of political activism, would reportedly be granted only minutes with his family before his execution.
Iran has strongly rejected Trump’s statements, accusing him of inciting violence and undermining the country’s sovereignty. In a letter to the United Nations Security Council, Iran’s ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, said the U.S. president was encouraging destabilization and warned that Washington and Israel would bear responsibility for civilian casualties resulting from unrest.
The crisis has also prompted action from U.S. allies. Britain summoned Iran’s ambassador and announced a new package of economic sanctions targeting sectors including finance, energy, transport, and technology. Addressing Parliament, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned Iran’s response to protests as “abhorrent” and demanded that Tehran respect basic rights and freedoms. France, Germany, and the United States have advised their citizens to leave Iran, citing security concerns.
Information from inside the country remains limited. Iranian authorities imposed internet shutdowns and communications restrictions, complicating efforts to verify events on the ground. While the United Nations said phone services had been partially restored, internet access remains restricted. Meanwhile, a U.S.-based organization said Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service was being made available for free in Iran, potentially giving protesters a new channel to communicate with the outside world.
The unrest represents the most serious internal challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership in at least three years. What began as protests over economic mismanagement has evolved into broader calls for political change and the end of the system established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Despite the scale of the demonstrations and the violence used to suppress them, there are so far no clear signs of fractures within Iran’s security apparatus.
As the hours tick down toward a possible execution, the situation has become a high-stakes test for both Tehran and Washington, with the risk that domestic repression inside Iran could trigger a dangerous international escalation.
