President Donald Trump has urged Iran to release eight women that the Islamic regime plans to execute, claiming that gesture as proof of goodwill before the start of negotiations between the two countries.
“To the Iranian leaders, who will soon be negotiating with my representatives: I would greatly appreciate the release of these women. I am sure they will respect that gesture. Please do not harm them! It would be a great start to our negotiations,” Donald Trump wrote in Truth Social
Trump’s message echoes a post by pro-American activist Eyal Yakoby, who claims that Tehran is preparing to execute the eight women. The post includes a photograph of Bita Hemmati, a protester arrested during anti-regime protests in January.
The women identified in the image include Diana Taherabadi, 16, and Mahboubeh Shabani, 33, both arrested in February for their alleged participation in the protests. Also featured is Ensieh Nejati, a Kurdish women’s rights activist sentenced to death in early 2025. Details about the remaining four have not been independently verified.
Hemmati was arrested along with her husband and two other men who lived in the same building. The four were sentenced to death for alleged crimes against the regime, including the use of explosives and weapons, throwing objects such as concrete blocks and disturbing national security, according to the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
Human rights organizations have repeatedly denounced that Tehran holds unfair trials for those who challenge the regime, imposing harsh punishments in the wake of the January protests. The Islamic Republic has intensified its repressive actions in recent months in a context of growing international tension.
