After threats from President Donald Trump, Iran has backed down from its decision to execute protesters. According to Reuters, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that there are no plans to carry out executions.
In an interview on Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier, the foreign minister stated, “There are no plans for executions. The question of executions does not even arise.”
On the same day, Trump also said that killings of protesters in Iran have stopped and that no executions will take place. Earlier, the Iranian government had announced fast-track trials and swift executions of protesters.
On Wednesday, Iran had planned to publicly execute 26-year-old protester Irfan Soltani. Following this, Trump had issued a strong warning to Iran.
WHO IS ERFAN SOLTANI?
Erfan was working in the clothing industry and had recently joined a private firm, reported the IranWire. Friends and family describe him as deeply interested in fashion and personal style.
His Instagram account, which has not been deleted by the regime, shows a young man who enjoyed bodybuilding, sports and living a quiet, ordinary life.
The source told IranWire that Soltani had received threatening messages from security agencies even before his arrest.
“He told his family he was being watched, but he refused to back down,” the source said. “He remained committed to the protests.”
Iran threatened to kill President Trump
Iran issued a death threat against President Trump on state television. According to AFP, the threat was in Persian. The broadcast showed footage of the 2024 assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, accompanied by the message: “This time the bullet will not miss its target.”
This is Tehran’s most direct threat against Trump so far. Previously, it was Trump who repeatedly warned the Iranian government that the US would strike if it continued its brutal crackdown on protesters.
Trump says he likes Prince Reza Pahlavi
On Wednesday, Trump said that he finds Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi quite likeable. However, he expressed uncertainty over whether Pahlavi would be able to gain support within Iran and assume leadership.
According to Reuters, Trump said, “I don’t know how he will fare in his own country.” He added that the situation has not reached that level yet. Trump said he is unsure whether Iranians will accept Pahlavi’s leadership, but added, “If they do, I will have no objection.”
Iran declares no-fly zone
Amid widespread protests and rising tensions with the US, Iran closed its airspace to most flights for two hours on Wednesday.
According to Flightradar24, Tehran issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) immediately after 5 PM on Wednesday, banning all flights except international flights arriving from or departing to Iran.
The restriction came as the US began withdrawing some personnel from its bases in Qatar. Iran had warned that it would strike US facilities if Washington attacked.
Several airlines, including IndiGo, Lufthansa, and Aeroflot, were affected. Amid growing threats from missiles and drones in the region, many carriers chose to avoid Iranian airspace.
IndiGo said some of its international flights were affected by Iran’s sudden airspace closure.
Air India also said that flights that normally pass through the region are now taking alternate routes, which may cause delays.
Why are the Iran protests happening?
Iran’s economy has gone into free fall. On Dec. 28, the rial plunged to 1.48 million to the dollar, triggering protests by merchants in Tehran’s central bazaar who said they could no longer conduct business. Ordinary Iranians, watching their purchasing power evaporate by the hour, soon joined them. Within a week, demonstrations had spread to all 31 provinces.
As the protests grew, demands shifted from economic relief to calls for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic. Iran’s theocratic regime, in power since 1979, is deeply unpopular among much of the country’s population of roughly 90 million. Analysts point to years of mismanagement and corruption, but say the economic collapse accelerated sharply after the United Nations reimposed sanctions in September over Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Also Read| Trump Says Iran Has Stopped Killing Protesters, Leans Away from Military Action
