President Donald Trump has claimed that he successfully halted the execution of eight women arrested during recent Iran protests. Four of them will be released immediately and the others will serve a one-month sentence. However, Tehran has challenged these claims.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, stating that Iran had respected his request and terminated the planned execution. However, Iran's judiciary dismissed the narrative as misinformation, saying that some of the women have been released while others face charges that could result in imprisonment.
The women were arrested during the January protests, which were met with a severe crackdown. Rights groups have identified the eight women, including Bita Hemmati, Mahboubeh Shabani, and others, who are accused of various crimes, including waging war against God.
International watchdogs have warned about Iran's use of capital punishment, with at least 1,639 people executed in 2025, including 48 women. These organisations accuse Iranian authorities of using executions as a tool to instill fear, particularly amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
