Donald Trump on Tuesday publicly urged Iranian leaders to release a group of women reportedly facing execution, framing the move as a potential goodwill gesture before negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
“To the Iranian leaders… I would greatly appreciate the release of these women,” Trump wrote on TRUTH Social. “Please do them no harm! Would be a great start to our negotiations!!!”
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The appeal came as reports circulated that Iran’s government could carry out executions tied to recent anti-regime protests, though details surrounding the cases remain difficult to independently verify.
Among those highlighted in the message was Bita Hemmati, who was arrested during demonstrations earlier this year and later sentenced to death, according to opposition sources.
Iranian authorities have accused Hemmati of a range of offenses, including participating in protests and actions deemed threats to national security.
Also cited were Diana Taherabadi, a 16-year-old arrested in February, and Mahboubeh Shabani, 33, both reportedly detained for their alleged roles in anti-government demonstrations.
Another case referenced was Ensieh Nejati, who was sentenced to death in 2025.
The information about the detainees was amplified by activist Eyal Yakoby and organizations such as the National Council of Resistance of Iran, though independent verification of each case has proven challenging.
Human rights groups have long accused Iran of conducting unfair trials and imposing harsh penalties on those involved in protests, particularly following widespread demonstrations earlier this year.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, tens of thousands of people were detained during the unrest, underscoring the scale of the crackdown.
Trump’s intervention adds a new layer to already fragile diplomatic efforts.
By tying humanitarian concerns directly to negotiations, the president is signaling that the treatment of detainees could influence the tone — and potentially the outcome — of upcoming talks.
More over at The New York Post:
Trump urges Iran to release eight women reportedly set to be hanged https://t.co/GRf14APpjl pic.twitter.com/OrAZ78VZab
— New York Post (@nypost) April 21, 2026