Iranian clothes shop owner, 26, set to be first protester hanged by regime after spending final 10 minutes with his family

According to human rights groups in the country, Erfan Soltani, is allegedly scheduled to be hanged following his arrest during the protests in Karaj.

It comes after an Iranian official said around 2,000 people have been killed in the crackdown against the country's regime, which have been ongoing since late December.

Speaking of Mr Soltani's situation, the Iran Human Rights said on Tuesday: "His family was told that he had been sentenced to death and that the sentence is due to be carried out on 14 January."

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It is believed the 26-year-old was charged with "waging war against God," which is punishable by death in Iran, the US Sun reports.

The National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFD) added that his only crime is calling for "freedom for Iran."

The group is calling on calling for international support to stop the killing and supporters say he has not been allowed legal advice, or been handed the chance to defend himself before the verdict of death was handed down.

The latest death toll of over 2,000 shows an escalation as the previous figure for the number of dead was 646 people, as reported by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.

An ongoing internet blackout in Iran has made it difficult for officials to provide an accurate estimate.

It comes after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz claimed on Tuesday that Iran's clerical leadership is in ruins, arguing the regime can no longer survive without violence.

He told Merz told journalists during his visit to India: "If a regime can only stay in power through violence, then it is effectively finished. I assume that we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime.

“I hope there is a way to end this conflict peacefully. The mullah regime has to recognise that as well."

Donald Trump previously warned Tehran that it could use military action to combat violence against the protesters.

But Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday he continued to communicate with US envoy Steve Witkoff.

Writing on X, Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad said: "This is how the Islamic Republic crushes dissent: Shut down the internet. Kill protesters in the streets. Start rapid executions to terrorise society into silence.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is not seeking war but is fully prepared for war."