The streets of Iran have become a tense battleground, and at the center of this turmoil is 26-year-old Erfan Soltani.
A simple clothes shop owner from Fardis, Karaj, Soltani now faces the threat of execution, a chilling example of the Islamic Republic’s swift and brutal response to dissent.
Human rights groups warn he may be the first in a wave of executions targeting protestors.
Authorities have reportedly allowed Soltani only ten minutes with his family before his scheduled hanging on Wednesday, for allegedly participating in an anti-government protest the previous Thursday.
His arrest, detainment, and rapid sentencing have shocked his loved ones and the broader community.
A Family Left in Shock
According to Arina Moradi from the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, Soltani’s family is “shocked” and “despaired.”
She emphasized that Erfan was not a political activist but a young person expressing frustration at Iran’s ongoing social and political challenges.
Moradi described the judicial process as highly unusual and alarmingly expedited.
Soltani was denied access to a lawyer, the charges against him remain unclear, and authorities have provided no official documents explaining his case.
“He was detained last Thursday, and the family had no information for days until they were informed he would be executed the following Wednesday,” she said.
The Human Toll of Protests
The crackdown in Iran has been deadly.
An Iranian official acknowledged to Reuters that around 2,000 people have been killed during protests, blaming “terrorists” for civilian deaths.
However, the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights estimates at least 648 fatalities, including nine minors, and suggests the actual number could exceed 6,000.
Internet blackouts have made updates nearly impossible.
Moradi explained that her organization has struggled to communicate with Soltani’s family due to the disrupted networks.
“We’ve been unable to get further updates on his condition,” she said.
Torture, Fear, and a Legal System Under Siege
Human rights groups fear Soltani may be subjected to torture while in custody.
They warn that this execution is unlikely to be an isolated incident, with extrajudicial killings potentially continuing in the coming weeks.
Shahin Gobadi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) described the government’s actions as creating “kangaroo courts” to rapidly convict and execute protestors, labeling them “enemies of God,” a charge punishable by death.
This marks a continuation of Iran’s long-standing use of capital punishment to suppress dissent.
NCRI data indicates over 2,200 executions took place in 2025 alone—an unprecedented high under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s 36-year rule.
Personal Stories Amid the Crisis
Social media has highlighted the human side of these events.
Iranian journalist Azadeh Shafiee shared a video of Soltani dancing in his car, warning followers of what could be the start of “extensive executions in Iran.”
Soltani’s sister, a licensed lawyer, has tried to intervene legally, but authorities have blocked her from accessing the case.
Hengaw Organization described the case as a “clear violation of international human rights law,” citing the lack of legal representation, due process, and transparency in Soltani’s trial.
Global Reactions and Rising Pressure
The international community has taken notice.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the Iranian regime as facing its “last days,” while US President Donald Trump was briefed on potential military and covert responses.
Australia and the US have urged their citizens in Iran to leave immediately, citing escalating violence and restricted communications.
UN officials have condemned the crackdown.
Secretary-General António Guterres expressed shock over reports of excessive force, while the UN Human Rights Chief called for the demands of the Iranian people to be heard and respected.
Streets Turned Into Warzones
Eyewitnesses describe central Tehran as heavily militarized, with anti-riot police, Basij forces, and plainclothes security officers patrolling the city.
Streets once alive with market activity now feel like a warzone.
Shops remain open under pressure from authorities, but foot traffic is minimal.
Satellite dishes and other communication tools are being targeted as authorities attempt to control information.
Graphic videos have circulated online showing bodies in morgues and people grieving publicly.
The scale of violence, witnesses say, is unprecedented in recent memory.
Economic Strain and Protest Sparks
The unrest initially began as protests over economic hardships.
A collapsing currency, rising inflation, and fuel price hikes compounded public anger.
Protests erupted on December 28 in Tehran’s markets and spread nationwide.
In response, the government has reshuffled the central bank leadership, proposed new economic plans, and vowed to suppress dissent through force.
The EU and other nations have threatened additional sanctions in response to the violent crackdown, while Iran’s government continues to claim readiness for both war and negotiations.
The Human Cost of Dissent
Tragically, Soltani’s case is far from unique.
Protestors like Rubina Aminian, a 23-year-old student, have been shot and killed during demonstrations.
Families have faced intimidation and obstacles even in burying their loved ones.
As protests continue across at least 186 cities, the human and political stakes remain high.
For citizens, the fight for justice comes at an extreme cost, while the international community watches closely, debating responses to one of the most severe human rights crises in Iran in decades.
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