Iran executes 19-year-old champion wrestler despite Trump's brutal threat

Iran has executed a 19-year-old wrestling champion despite appeals from U.S. officials, including allies of Donald Trump and the State Department, which had publicly expressed concern before the killing.

Saleh Mohammadi, a teenage champion wrestler, was publicly hanged after taking part in protests against the country’s leadership in January.

Iranian state media claimed that Mohammadi, along with Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davvodi, had fatally stabbed two police officers in Qom, allegations that led to their arrest and eventual execution.

Since his arrest, the U.S. and Israel have launched combined attacks on Iran, beginning last month, with airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and government buildings, while Iran has carried out retaliatory strikes against American and Israeli military bases, as well as US-owned facilities.

The U.S. Senate responds to the killing

The incident drew strong reactions internationally.

U.S. Senator John Fetterman wrote on X: “The Iranian regime executed a 19-year-old for demanding democracy,” adding, “I stand with his memory and the thousands of other young Iranians. Those who grieve the elimination of Iranian leaders over murdered protesters is telling.”

His remarks follow earlier warnings from Donald Trump, who had cautioned Iran against executing protesters.

In an interview with CBS News, Trump said, “If they hang them, you're going to see some things... We will take very strong action if they do such a thing.”

He later posted on Truth Social that Iran would “pay a big price” and encouraged citizens to “keep protesting.”

In another message, he wrote: “I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!,” referencing his slogan “Make Iran Great Again.”

The U.S. State Department also issued a statement in Farsi on X, saying: “The United States is deeply concerned by reports that 19-year-old wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi is facing imminent execution.

"The regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran is massacring young people and destroying Iran’s future.”

It continued: “We call on the Iranian regime to halt the execution of Saleh Mohammadi and all those sentenced to death for exercising their fundamental rights. #SalehMohammadi #StopExecutionsInIran #HumanRights #IranProtest.”

The execution has prompted calls for Iran to be banned from sports competition

Human rights advocates and athletes also condemned the execution. Iranian combat athlete and activist Nima Far described it as “a blatant political murder, part of the Islamic Republic’s pattern of targeting athletes to crush dissent and terrorize society,” comparing it to past cases.

She argued that international sports bodies should have acted more forcefully, saying organizations like the IOC and United World Wrestling should have issued ultimatums and threatened suspensions rather than relying on quiet diplomacy.

Far further called for broader consequences, stating: “Iran must be banned from international competitions until it halts executions of protesters and athletes, releases those jailed in sham trials, and ends retaliation against competitors who speak out or defect.”

Iran expert Alireza Nader echoed the need for stronger action, suggesting a “boycott of the regime” in global sports.

While acknowledging the difficult situation faced by athletes inside Iran, he emphasized accountability: “There must be a heavy price for the regime for executing young people like this. There must be a deterrent.”

Mohammadi’s death is part of a wider wave of violence linked to protests in Iran.

While the exact number of casualties remains unclear, reports cited by The Guardian estimate that more than 30,000 Iranians have been killed.

Featured Image. Credit: Anadolu/Getty