Iran Protests Turn Deadly: Over 2,500 Killed, Regional Strike Threat Issued, India Advises Evacuation

January 14, 2026

New Delhi: Amidst the ongoing widespread protests in Iran, news emerged of the execution of an anti-government protester on Wednesday, believed to be the first alleged execution since the demonstrations began. According to Iran International, 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was arrested during protests in the Ferdiyas area of ​​western Tehran on January 8, has been sentenced to death. Sources close to his family provided this information to the Oslo-based human rights organization Iran Human Rights. However, the exact charges against Soltani have not yet been officially disclosed.

International Pressure for Action

Global concern is growing over the crackdown on protests in Iran. According to reports, the death toll has surpassed 2,500. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported on Wednesday that at least 2,571 people had died. Iranian state TV acknowledged “many martyrs” in the country, but no official figures were released.

Trump Appeals to Continue Protests

US President Donald Trump called on Iranian citizens to “continue the protests” and said that “help is on the way.” He appealed to the Iranian government to “show humanity” to protesters and condemned the deaths caused by the violence. Trump also warned that the US would take “strong action” if Iranian authorities executed protesters.

Iran Accuses US of Inciting Destabilization

Tehran strongly criticized Trump’s comments, accusing Washington of inciting political instability and encouraging violence. Iranian officials said the US was trying to create a pretext for foreign interference and endangering the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security.

Larijani blames Trump and Netanyahu

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, reacted sharply to Trump’s warnings. Posting on the social media platform X, he said that the US and Israel are “mainly responsible” for the deaths of Iranian citizens. He wrote, “We declare the names of the main killers of the Iranian people: 1- Trump, 2- Netanyahu.”

Government eases some restrictions

The Iranian government has partially eased some restrictions on communications, allowing people to make phone calls abroad. However, local residents told the Associated Press that SMS services remain suspended and access to international internet content is blocked. It is unclear whether further relaxations will be made.

Starlink service launched in Iran

Elon Musk’s company SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, has reportedly launched free service in Iran. According to activists, the internet shutdown has become the only means of contact for Iranians with the outside world.

Advisory for Indian Citizens

The Indian Embassy in Iran has advised Indian citizens there to leave the country using available means of transport, including commercial flights. Indians and PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin) have been asked to stay away from protest areas, exercise caution, stay in touch with the Embassy, ​​and monitor local media.

Background: Why the Protests Erupted

Protests in Iran began in late December due to dissatisfaction with economic conditions but soon escalated into widespread protests against the country’s religious regime. Slogans and graffiti against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were seen in several locations in Tehran, which are considered serious crimes under Iranian law and carry severe punishment.