In a significant development, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Iran has decided against executing eight women who were previously linked to anti-regime protests. This decision comes in the wake of Trump’s appeal for their release just a day earlier.
“Great news! I’ve been informed that the eight women protesters who were facing execution in Iran tonight will no longer meet that fate,” Trump shared in a post on Truth Social.
According to reports, four of these women are set to be released promptly, while the other four will serve prison terms of just one month. This adjustment in their sentences marks a notable shift from the previous outcome they faced.
Expressing his gratitude toward Iran for reconsidering their stance, Trump stated, “I greatly appreciate that Iran, along with its leaders, heeded my request.” This acknowledgment suggests a positive diplomatic interaction between the two nations.
Earlier, Trump had indicated via social media on Tuesday that freeing these women could be advantageous for Iran amidst upcoming negotiations, which coincided with his announcement of extending a two-week ceasefire. This strategic suggestion may have played a role in the eventual decision by Iranian authorities.
President Donald Trump addressed the media from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2026, as captured in the image by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images.
“To the Iranian leaders, who will soon be in negotiations with my representatives: I would greatly appreciate the release of these women,” Trump said Tuesday, responding to an activist’s post on X that included photos of eight unidentified women.
“I am sure that they will respect the fact that you did so. Please do them no harm! Would be a great start to our negotiations!!!”
Iran’s judiciary, however, quickly responded to Trump’s claims, denying that the women ever faced execution, according to Middle East-focused media outlet New Arab.
“Trump was misled once again by fake news,” the judiciary’s official Mizan Online website said. “The women who were claimed to be on the verge of execution, some of them have been released, while others face charges that, if convictions are upheld, would at most result in imprisonment.”
Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC/AP)
According to human rights groups, Iran reportedly last week scheduled the execution of a female protester linked to the January uprising, marking Tehran’s first publicly reported death penalty case involving a woman.
She was identified as Bita Hemmati and is among the eight women Trump said will no longer face capital punishment.
Hemmati was originally sentenced in a collective case alongside her husband and neighbors, the National Council of Resistance of Iran said.
On Jan. 8 and Jan. 9, the group allegedly threw objects such as concrete blocks and incendiary materials from rooftops, injured security forces and engaged in anti-regime “propaganda” in an effort to undermine security, according to federal authorities.
Demonstrators ignite a fire in the middle of the street during an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC/AP)
One Iranian journalist reported the identities of the other women in a post on X, claiming the defendants are as young as 16 years old.
One victim in particular, identified as Mahboubeh Shabani, 33, was accused of providing assistance to demonstrators injured during January’s uprising, according to the Norway-based Hengaw rights group.
The women’s rulings are among the latest in a series of punishments issued amid a broader government crackdown on dissent.
Rights groups say thousands of protesters may have been killed since demonstrations erupted earlier this year.
