Iranian media reports long lines and temporary closures at gas stations in Tehran

US President Donald Trump expressed strong condemnation on Tuesday regarding the rising number of executions in Iran, especially those of individuals involved in the mass protests that took place earlier this year, prior to the onset of the Middle East conflict. In a post on Truth Social, the beleaguered Islamic Republic of Iran was accused of failing to pay salaries to a significant portion of its military while simultaneously executing protesters, even those who were not actively involved in demonstrations.

The situation, Trump emphasized, constituted a "humanitarian crisis of epic proportions" and must be halted immediately. It remains unclear what recent developments prompted the early morning statement, but there has been a consistent surge in executions since the war erupted on February 28.

The trigger for Trump's outrage appears to be the escalation of executions following the joint US-Israeli strikes that initiated the war, which occurred weeks after the violent suppression of mass protests in Iran. These initial protests erupted in late December over concerns about the soaring cost of living but quickly transformed into widespread anti-government demonstrations that reached their peak on January 8 and 9.

Iranian authorities claimed over 3,000 deaths, attributing the violence to terrorist acts orchestrated by the US and Israel. However, rights groups based overseas reported a significantly higher death toll and alleged that security forces fired on demonstrators.

In a recent diplomatic move, over 30 nations jointly signed a letter condemning Iran's continued executions of protesters and the use of the death penalty. The signatories included several foreign governments. However, the US, which maintains capital punishment within its judicial system, did not endorse the statement. Since then, at least three additional individuals have been executed in Iran on charges connected to the protests.