Heartbroken families have shared the distressing news of their loved ones facing swift executions in Iran amidst a harsh crackdown on protesters.
Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old clothing shop owner, was taken into custody at his residence for allegedly participating in anti-government protests. He is set to have just a ten-minute meeting with his family before his scheduled hanging on Wednesday.
Activists reported that between 2,000 to 3,000 individuals have lost their lives since the onset of protests slightly over two weeks ago. Iranians managed to make international phone calls after a recent blackout on telecommunications and access imposed by authorities.
Iranian state TV has officially acknowledged the significant death toll, citing numerous “martyrs” due to the actions of armed and terrorist groups in the country.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans for additional sanctions against Iran focused on finance, energy, transport, and other key sectors. The US President, Donald Trump, has urged Iranians to persist in their protests and vowed consequences for those responsible for violence against protesters.
The ongoing protests, which initially centered on economic issues, provoked a strong response from authorities. Despite challenges in assessing the full scale of the protests due to communication restrictions, more images and reports have emerged as the media blackout eases.