Senior Iranian cleric calls for protester executions in defiance of Trump claims

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by William ChristouJanuary 17, 2026 at 02:25 PM

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A senior Iranian cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, called for the execution of protesters, contradicting claims by President Trump that Iran had agreed to halt executions. Khatami, an influential hardliner, labeled protesters as enemies of Iran and agents of the US and Israel. This comes after widespread protests in Iran, triggered by economic concerns in late December, evolved into calls for governmental change. Iranian authorities responded with a brutal crackdown, resulting in thousands of deaths and arrests, according to rights groups. Despite Trump's apparent gratitude for halting executions, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, vowed further punishment for protesters, accusing Trump of involvement in the unrest. The protests represent the deadliest unrest in Iran since the 1979 revolution.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Reza Pahlavi 40% Tehran 40% Human Rights Watch 50% Israel 50% Guardian Council 60% Assembly of Experts 60% Ali Khamenei 70% United States 70% Donald Trump ×380% Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami ×290% Iran ×5100%

Keywords

protester executions 90% iran protests 80% crackdown 70% human rights 60% ayatollah ahmad khatami 60% ali khamenei 50% political unrest 50% donald trump 40% death toll 40%