Tehran Faces Escalating Crisis as Regime Prepares First Execution of Protester Amid Reports of Thousands Dead

Tehran, Iran — January 13, 2026 — The Iranian government is reportedly on the verge of carrying out its first public execution of a captured demonstrator, as nationwide anti-regime protests enter their third week and an Iranian official acknowledged that around 2,000 people — including civilians and security personnel — have been killed in the unrest.

Human rights groups have warned that 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, arrested Saturday during demonstrations in Fardis, Alborz Province, could face hanging as early as Wednesday after being charged under Iran's "enmity against God" (moharebeh) statute, a capital offense frequently applied to suppress dissent. The planned execution comes amid a brutal crackdown that has turned streets into what witnesses describe as "warzones," with security forces deploying live ammunition, tear gas, and heavy-caliber weapons against largely unarmed crowds.

The protests, which erupted in late December 2025 over the catastrophic collapse of the Iranian rial and hyperinflation, have rapidly evolved into the most serious challenge to the Islamic Republic since the 2022–2023 "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. Demonstrations have now spread to more than 180 cities and all 31 provinces, with protesters openly calling for the fall of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the clerical establishment.

Independent estimates of the death toll vary widely due to a near-total internet blackout imposed since January 8 and restrictions on foreign media. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has documented at least 648 protester deaths, including children, while exiled academics and other sources suggest the true figure could exceed 6,000. Iran's attorney general has vowed no leniency, labeling participants as "saboteurs" and "terrorists."

In a rare admission, an Iranian official told Reuters that approximately 2,000 lives have been lost, blaming "rioters" and foreign interference for the violence.

The international response has intensified. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking during a visit to India, declared that the world is witnessing the "final days and weeks" of the Iranian regime.

"I assume that we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime," Merz said. "When a regime can only maintain power through violence, then it is effectively at its end. The population is now rising up against this regime."

Merz's stark assessment — echoed by European calls for tougher sanctions — reflects growing conviction among Western leaders that the theocracy's reliance on lethal force signals profound weakness.Meanwhile, in Washington, President Donald Trump has been briefed by the Pentagon on a broad range of military and covert options to target Iranian regime elements, including long-range missile strikes, cyber operations, and psychological campaigns. Trump has repeatedly warned that the US is "locked and loaded" and prepared to intervene if the killing of protesters continues, stating aboard Air Force One that "the military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options."

The White House has also imposed 25% tariffs on countries trading with Iran, effective immediately, as part of economic pressure. Tehran has responded defiantly, with officials declaring the country "ready for war" and threatening US bases in the region.

As morgues overflow and families search through body bags for loved ones, the crisis shows no signs of abating. With communications severed and executions looming, the coming days could prove decisive in determining whether Iran's long-standing theocratic rule faces its most existential threat in decades.

17GEN4.com