ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – US President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Tehran to halt the possible executions of eight women linked to the January protests, calling their release a “great start” to negotiations ahead of a potential second round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad. 

“To the Iranian leaders, who will soon be in negotiations with my representatives: I would greatly appreciate the release of these women,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, referring to a picture of eight Iranian women facing possible death sentences.

“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!” Trump added.

Iran and the United States were initially set to meet on Tuesday for another round of talks in Islamabad as the ceasefire deadline nears expiration, aiming to reach a possible deal to formally end the war, but Tehran threatened to boycott the negotiations. 

Photos of eight Iranian women have drawn widespread attention on social media in recent days following reports that alleged January protesters could face imminent executions.

The attention began earlier in April, when Western media first reported that the first group of women was among those facing possible execution over alleged participation in the January protests.

In a repeated tactic during periods of unrest in Iran, Tehran has intensified its crackdown on uprisings and protesters by cutting communication services and imposing nationwide internet blackouts, making it significantly harder to obtain information and document abuses.

Earlier on Tuesday, the country’s judiciary announced the execution of a citizen accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency during the country’s January nationwide protests. 

Iran has repeatedly referred to the recent nationwide protests as “foreign plots,” and labeled the demonstrators “terrorist elements” working for the US and Israel, labeling the uprising as a continuation of June’s 12-day war.

In the 12‑day war with Israel in June, Iranian authorities carried out a wave of arrests on alleged espionage charges and executed several men convicted of spying for Israel’s intelligence services.

The use of similar allegations to justify crackdowns has long been a pattern for Iran’s Islamic republic during times of unrest and war.