Sen. Lindsey Graham condemned the reported death sentence for 26-year-old Erfan Soltani and called for the fall of Iran's ruling system amid nationwide protests. Soltani, a shopkeeper arrested in Fardis, was reportedly sentenced after an expedited trial, according to family members. Authorities imposed a nationwide internet blackout as unrest grew; former President Trump warned of possible U.S. action and later said killings were "stopping," though some claims remain unverified.
Sen. Lindsey Graham Condemns Death Sentence for 26-Year-Old Iranian Protester, Urges End to Regime
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.(AP Newsroom)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has publicly condemned the reported death sentence for 26-year-old Erfan Soltani and renewed calls for the end of Iran's ruling system as nationwide protests continue.
Graham's Statement
"I read with great sadness and heartache about the pending execution of Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old shopkeeper," Graham wrote on X, sharing 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. This regime must fall, and the Iranian people must have a better life."
Graham said the removal of Iran's current leadership would have "incredibly positive" consequences for the region, while retaining Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be "a giant step backward into the darkness," in his words.
About Erfan Soltani
According to ABC News, which spoke with Soltani's second cousin Somayeh, the 26-year-old shopkeeper was arrested in Fardis, tried in an expedited proceeding and sentenced to death. Somayeh, an activist based in Germany, told ABC she felt compelled to "be Erfan's voice outside the country despite all the pressure and sanctions that fall on families."
Broader Unrest and Government Response
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.
Large-scale protests erupted in Iran in late December amid worsening economic conditions. Iranian authorities imposed a nationwide internet blackout in early January, limiting communications among demonstrators and with the outside world and raising international concerns about potential violent reprisals.
U.S. Comments and Unverified Claims
Former President Donald Trump said on Jan. 2 that the United States was "locked and loaded" and prepared to act if Iranian authorities used violence against demonstrators. He later told reporters he had been informed "on good authority" that killings in Iran were "stopping" and posted on Truth Social that more than 800 scheduled hangings had been canceled. These claims have been reported as statements by Trump; independent verification of the cancellation figure and the broader situation remains limited.
Current Status
The fate of Erfan Soltani remains unclear, and there has been no verified report of direct U.S. military intervention in Iran. International human rights groups and family members continue to appeal for international attention and assistance.
Note: This article reflects reports from media outlets and public statements by officials. Some claims cited by public figures have not been independently verified.
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