Fears are mounting that Iran’s regime may be outmaneuvering international pressure by pausing protester executions, only to plan a hidden wave of killings later.
As reported in a story published Jan. 15, 2026, the Middle East braced for U.S. strikes after Donald Trump pledged support to Iranian protesters with a message of “help is on the way” following 17 days of violent street clashes. U.S. forces held back after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated late Wednesday that executions were off the table, and Trump soon after accepted assurances that killings were halting. Yet, sources warn hundreds of the over 18,000 arrested remain at risk, despite temporary reprieves for some, like student Erfan Soltani.
According to The U.S. Sun, critics argue that this apparent pause may be a strategic deception by Iran’s leadership, raising serious doubts about the regime’s true intentions.
An Iranian refugee in touch with protesters voiced deep skepticism about the regime’s promises.
“The regime is buying time by lying to Trump and they will do what they want once he loses focus. People are pleased that there have been no executions so far but that could change very quickly,” the refugee told The Sun.
That warning cuts to the core—if trust is misplaced here, the cost could be countless lives, and America must not be lulled into complacency by smooth-talking diplomats.
The backdrop to this drama is Iran’s brutal response to dissent, with executions—often public hangings—having doubled in the past year under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, especially after June’s 12-day conflict with Israel.
Norway-based Iran Human Rights verified at least 1,500 executions through December 2025, with more since, and 975 in 2024 alone, though exact numbers are murky as Iranian officials release no official data. The Human Rights Activists News Agency reports 18,434 arrests and 2,600 deaths during recent protests, with detainees—including university students and children aged 15 to 17—held in secret jails.
When numbers like these surface, it’s a stark reminder that behind every statistic are real people suffering under a regime that prioritizes control over humanity.
Trump reacted to the news of paused executions with optimism on Truth Social.
“This is good news. Hopefully, it will continue!” he posted.
While that hope is understandable, banking on a regime with this track record feels like a gamble—America’s strength must back up its words, not just its wishes.
Among those spared for now is 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, a clothing shop owner from Fardis, Karaj, arrested last Thursday west of Tehran and sentenced to death within two days for alleged “propaganda activities against the regime,” per state media.
Authorities informed his family days later that his execution was set for Wednesday, though it was postponed amid the broader assurances. U.S. officials seem to accept Iran’s pledges, but with hundreds still in peril, the fight for justice in Iran demands unwavering vigilance, not fleeting optimism.