The White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced on Thursday, January 15th, that Iran had halted the execution of 800 individuals that was scheduled for the same day, following a severe warning issued by President Trump to Iran.
Leavitt stated during a press conference at the White House on Thursday, “The President and his team have informed the Iranian regime that if the killings continue, they will face serious consequences. As the President revealed to the world yesterday, he has received information from the Iranian side that the killings and executions will cease.”
“The President was informed today that the 800 executions scheduled for yesterday have been halted. Therefore, the President and his team are closely monitoring the situation. The President will still consider all options towards Iran,” added Leavitt.
One of the most globally watched events on Wednesday, January 14th, was whether Iranian authorities would execute Erfan Soltani. The 26-year-old man was arrested by Iranian authorities for participating in nationwide anti-government protests and was set to be executed on Wednesday. President Trump warned on Tuesday during an interview with CBS in Michigan that if Iranian authorities execute protesters, he will take “very tough” action.
A relative of Soltani told The Guardian on Wednesday that she received a phone call from Soltani’s family, reporting that Iranian prison authorities stated Soltani had not been executed yet, and the execution had been postponed, but no details were provided. The family could not confirm the prison’s claim as they did not directly hear Soltani’s voice or see him.
Avyer Shekhi from the human rights organization Hengaw expressed concerns to the BBC, stating that cases like Soltani’s are just one of many, highlighting that the scale and speed of the violent crackdown by Iranian authorities this time are shocking compared to previous protest activities.