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President Donald Trump on Thursday spoke to the Iranian government about the killing of 19-year-old Saleh Mohammadi.
“About two weeks ago, they put out a notice that if you protest, we’re going to shoot you. They’re killing them. Look what they did to the wrestler. They killed him, for speaking out. They killed him. He was a wrestler, a great wrestler, really,” Trump said during an interview on Fox News’ “The Five.”
“Iran has great wrestlers, and he was a star, one of the best. And they killed him because he spoke. He spoke against the regime, which has been completely destroyed.”
Mohammadi was reportedly executed by public hanging earlier this month, according to Iranian American human rights activists and opponents.
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Iran International reported that the Iranian regime hanged Mohammadi and two other Iranian men, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi “after they were accused of killing two policemen during protests across the country earlier this year,” the judiciary-linked Mizan news agency reported.
Mohammadi previously told the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting that his dream was to become an Olympic champion.
Mohammadi won a bronze medal in September 2024 for Iran’s national freestyle competition at the Saytiyev International Cup in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
The killing prompted comments of mourning and outrage from many Olympians, including US gold medalists Brandon Slay, a wrestler; Tyler Clary, swimmer; and Kaillie Humphries, women’s bobsledder.
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The International Olympic Committee drew criticism for its statement on the massacre because it did not condemn Iran.
“Sadly, today’s world is divided and full of conflict and tragedy. The IOC is deeply concerned about the plight of athletes around the world and is concerned every time it learns of individual cases of ill-treatment,” the IOC said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“However, it is very difficult to comment on the conditions of people during conflict or unrest in the country without the IOC being able to confirm the information that is often contradictory.
“Currently, we are very concerned about the situation of Iranian athletes they were affected by the events that happened in their country, as we are with all the athletes who are facing conflicts and tragedies elsewhere in the world. Unfortunately, these situations are often brought to us because of the division of the country we live in.”
The IOC has noted that it does not have the power to dictate the decisions of an independent nation.
“The IOC, as a public, non-governmental organization, has no power or authority to change the laws or political system of an independent country. This is the official role of governments and organizations affiliated with governments.
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“The IOC is a sports organization whose output and success is based on bringing the world together in peaceful competition. We must be realistic about the IOC’s ability to directly influence global and national affairs,” the statement continued.
“At the same time, we will continue to work with our Olympic partners to help where we can, often through quiet sports diplomacy. The IOC remains in contact with the Olympic community from Iran.”
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