If protesters are executed, a stern response against Iran will be announced

US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, signalling that the United States will take “strong measures” if Iranian authorities proceed with executions of anti-government protesters. Speaking in an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Trump stated, “If they do such a thing, we will respond very forcefully.” The warning came amid reports that executions could begin as early as Wednesday.

In an online video clip, Trump said, “They have already killed thousands of people, and now they are talking about executions. Let’s see what the consequences will be for them.” At the time of the interview, Trump was in Michigan, visiting a manufacturing plant and delivering a speech on the US economy.

Reiterating earlier social media posts, he assured that “assistance is coming” for Iranian protesters. Trump also addressed the uncertainty surrounding the death toll in Iran, stating, “I am hearing different numbers. One death is too many, yet some reports are lower, and others much higher.”

On his return flight to Washington, the President told reporters that he would soon receive a briefing on the situation in Iran. “It appears the scale of the killings is large, but I do not yet know for certain. I will know within 20 minutes and act accordingly,” he said. Previously, Trump had warned that US intervention could follow if protesters were killed—a threshold that, according to his comments, has already been crossed.

Human rights groups are raising alarms over the growing threat of executions. Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) reported on Tuesday that at least 734 people have been confirmed killed since the protests began, though the actual death toll could exceed a thousand.

The Iranian government may also resort to the death penalty against those arrested during the demonstrations. Tehran consular officials have stated that some detainees face charges of moharebeh, or “waging war against God,” which carries the death sentence. Amnesty International issued a statement warning that “authorities may once again resort to swift trials and arbitrary executions to suppress dissent and instil fear.”

IHR highlighted the case of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, arrested last week in the Tehran suburb of Karaj. Sources within his family claim that Soltani has already been sentenced to death and could be executed as soon as Wednesday.

Confirmed and Estimated Figures of Protest Casualties in Iran

The situation remains tense, with global human rights organisations closely monitoring Iran’s response to ongoing anti-government protests.