Trump warns Iran of ‘very robust motion’ as tensions rise and at the least 2,000 protesters useless
Erfan Soltani, 26, will be the to be the first to face execution in Iran’s crackdown on protesters after allegedly taking part in the anti-government protests last week
US President Donald Trump has said his country will take “very strong action” if Iran carries out the execution of protesters (file image)(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
United States President Donald Trump has warned Iran that “very strong action” will be taken if the country carries out the execution of protesters.
“We will take very strong action. If they do such a thing, we will take very strong action,” Trump told CBS news anchor Tony Dokoupil in an interview that aired on the evening of Tuesday, January 13, as the Middle Eastern country plans mass executions.
Protests erupted on the streets of Iran to oust the Mullah regime that has ruled with an iron fist since 1979, the Mirror previously reported. Protesters have turned out even as armed forces met them with guns.
At least 2,000 people have died in the protests and others have been scheduled for executions as outlets reported that videos showed body bags lined up at morgues in the capital.
“We don’t want to see what’s happening in Iran happen. And you know, if they want to have protests, that’s one thing, when they start killing thousands of people, and now you’re telling me about hanging — we’ll see how that works out for them. It’s not going to work out good,” Trump said.
A young clothes shop owner, 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, will be the to be the first to face execution in Iran’s brutal crackdown on protesters.
He was arrested at his home in Fardis, central Iran, after allegedly taking part in the anti-government protests last week, human rights groups said.
It is reported that the young father was given just 10 minutes with his family before he is hanged on Wednesday.
Trump warned Iranian officials in a post on social media on Tuesday that they will “pay a big price” for any violence.
The US president also told Iranian citizens that “HELP IS ON ITS WAY.”
Trump said, during the CBS interview, that “there’s a lot of help on the way” for Iranian citizens, which is being offered in “different forms”, including economic assistance, CBS reported.
He mentioned the U.S. airstrikes last year targeting three of Iran’s nuclear facilities, but offered no other specifics.
Iran has said that the US would be a “legitimate target” should strikes go ahead.
