Lindsey Graham speaks against pending execution of 26-year-old Iranian protester: ‘This regime must fall’

Sen.Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is calling for the end of the Iranian regime amid ongoing protests and as the country holds its breath to see whether a 26-year-old protester will be executed, something PresidentDonald Trumphas said could trigger U.S.intervention.

“I read with great sadness and heartache about the pending execution of Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old shopkeeper.He is facing death at the hands of the ayatollah simply for protesting in the street for a better life.His family is calling on the world to come to their son’s aid,”Grahamwrote in a post on X along with an article about Soltani.

“I hope and pray that the execution does not go forward and this young man does not forfeit his life because he wants to live in freedom without fear,” the senator added.“This regime must fall, and the Iranian people must have a better life.”

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Graham said that he believes if the regime falls and the “murderous ayatollah running Iran” is gone, the impact on the region “would be incredibly positive.” He also warned, however, that if Iran’s Supreme Leader AyatollahAli Khameneiwere to remain in power, it would be “a giant step backward into the darkness.”

LINDSEY GRAHAM CALLS FOR US TO USE ‘ANY MEANS NECESSARY’ TO STOP THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE KILLING OF IRANIANS

Sen.Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., spoke out against the pending execution of 26-year-old Iranian protester Efran Soltani.(Erfan Soltani via Facebook/via Reuters;Anonymous/Getty Images)

Soltani’s story has spread in recent days asthe unrest in Irancontinues. 

The 26-year-old was arrested in Fardis and was sentenced to death after an expedited trial, according toABC News, which cited Soltani’s second cousin, Somayeh.

“As someone who is an activist myself and who has fought this regime for many years, I felt it was my right — and my duty — to be Erfan’s voice outside the country despite all the pressure and sanctions that fall on families,” Somayeh, who is based in Germany, told ABC News.

Iranians began protesting in late December amid worsening economic conditions.Earlier this month, the regime instituted a nationwide internet blackout, blocking demonstrators from contacting each other or the outside world amid international fears that protesters would be met with violence and death.

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In this frame grab from video obtained by the AP outside Iran, a masked demonstrator holds a picture of Iran’s Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi during a protest in Tehran, Iran, Jan.9, 2026.(UGC via AP)

TOP IRAN PRAYER LEADER WHO DUBBED PROTESTERS ‘TRUMP’S SOLDIERS’ CALLS FOR EXECUTIONS AMID ONGOING UNREST

On Jan.2, just days after the protests erupted, Trump said the U.S.was “locked and loaded” and ready to take action if the regime used violence against demonstrators.One day after the threat was made, the U.S.captured Venezuelan dictatorNicolás Maduro, adding weight to Trump’s words, though no known action has been taken yet.

Trump claimed Wednesdaythe administrationwas told “on good authority” that the killing in Iran had stopped.

“We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping, and it’s stopped and stopping, and there’s no plan for executions or an execution,” Trump said in the Oval Office.“So, I’ve been told that on good authority.We’ll find out about it.”

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Protesters burn images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally held in solidarity with Iran’s uprising on Whitehall in central London Jan.11, 2026.(Carlos Jasso/AFP via Getty Images)

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On Friday, he seemed to double down on the idea that the regime had stopped using violence when he issued a Truth Social post saying Iran hadcanceled over 800 scheduled hangings.

“I greatly respect the fact that all scheduled hangings, which were to take place yesterday (over 800 of them), have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran,” Trump wrote onTruth Social.

The fate of Soltani remains unclear, as does the prospect of U.S.intervention in Iran.