Iran has carried out the execution of a 19-year-old wrestling champion, despite repeated appeals from U.S. officials and allies of Donald Trump.
Saleh Mohammadi was a teenage champion wrestler. He has now reportedly been publicly hanged after participating in protests against Iran’s leadership that took place in January of this year, according to VT.
According to Iranian state media, Mohammadi, along with Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davvodi, were accused of fatally stabbing two police officers. Those allegations led to their arrest and, ultimately, their execution.
The execution has triggered strong reactions from political leaders and activists around the world. Donald Trump previously issued a warning in an interview with CBS News. He said: “If they hang them, you’re going to see some things… We will take very strong action if they do such a thing,” according to VT.
Trumps warning
According to VT, U.S. Senator John Fetterman wrote on X: “The Iranian regime executed a 19-year-old for demanding democracy,” adding, “I stand with his memory and the thousands of other young Iranians. Those who grieve the elimination of Iranian leaders over murdered protesters is telling.”
Trump also posted on Truth Social that Iran would “pay a big price” and encouraged citizens to “keep protesting.” He wrote: “I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!,” referencing his slogan “Make Iran Great Again.”
“The United States is deeply concerned”
The U.S. State Department also addressed the situation publicly, issuing a statement in Farsi on X that read: “The United States is deeply concerned by reports that 19-year-old wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi is facing imminent execution.
“The regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran is massacring young people and destroying Iran’s future.”
It continued: “We call on the Iranian regime to halt the execution of Saleh Mohammadi and all those sentenced to death for exercising their fundamental rights. #SalehMohammadi #StopExecutionsInIran #HumanRights #IranProtest.”
Mohammadi’s execution is seen as part of a larger wave of violence connected to protests in Iran. The exact number of victims remains uncertain, but reports cited by The Guardian estimate that more than 30,000 Iranians have been killed.
