Donald Trump’s Second Letter to the Family of a Victim of the January Protests

Donald Trump, President of the United States, has written a second letter to the family of one of those killed during Iran’s January protests. The uncle of Mohammad Erfan Faraji, an 18-year-old who was shot by suppression forces on January 8, shared the letter with IranWire.

In the second letter, signed by Trump and addressed to Erfan’s uncle, it reads: “I remain committed to advancing a foreign policy of peace through strength and ensuring that our military is prepared to deter threats and defend American freedom. My Administration will always protect the sovereignty of the United States by strengthening our defense and equipping the mightiest fighting force in the world. As Commander in Chief. I will always put our citizens, our values, and our Nation first. May God keep you safe and continue to bless the United States of America.”

The phrase “peace through strength” is one of Donald Trump’s well-known foreign policy slogans, signifying the maintenance of peace through credible military deterrence.

The letter, shared with IranWire, was sent by email to Erfan’s uncle on June 10.

Previously, in February 2025, Trump had written to the family: “I will never forget and never forgive.” In that earlier letter, the U.S. president stated plainly: “I promise I will never forget or forgive the horrific events that took him (Erfan) from us,” and declared that his administration “will always stand with the people of Iran on the path to freedom and democracy” and would work to “bring the Ayatollah and his murderous regime to justice.” That letter, also shared with IranWire, was written on January 13 and reached Erfan’s family in the United States on February 2.

Majid Moqaddasi, Erfan’s uncle, wrote a letter to Donald Trump on January 10, 2025, after learning of his nephew’s killing and the widespread massacre of Iranian protesters. In it, he described the killing of protesters and asked Trump to act in support of the Iranian people. The U.S. president responded within three days.

Moqaddasi, who says he has written four letters to the U.S. president since the January killings, told IranWire: “I have written many times. I believe this was the fourth letter I sent, and I have received two replies so far. In this letter, too, he emphasized that they will continue on their path with strength and used a phrase along the lines of ‘strength brings peace.’ It seems this message has been repeated within the same framework, a reaffirmation of the same approach and commitment to earlier promises.”

Majid Moqaddasi has pursued justice for his nephew, Erfan Faraji, by writing to influential figures. He explains: “I follow up on this matter and try to connect with every human rights organization and every relevant body where cooperation is possible. I have also contacted several well-known lawyers and consulted with them on how to proceed under the current circumstances.”

The justice-seeking uncle of Erfan Faraji says: “Alongside this, our goal is to file and pursue a legal complaint in international forums regarding the killings that took place on those nights, both before and after, as well as the executions. It seems that to move this process forward effectively, further consultations are needed with lawyers active in the European Union.”

Moqaddasi went on to note the importance of his correspondent’s position in global politics: “Given that he is an influential figure in politics and international affairs, attention naturally turns to him. I have written to him before, and I feel glad that, as an ordinary citizen, my letter received a reply from the President of the United States.”

He added, “Throughout all of this, I have been following up on the situation and the rights of bereaved families. In every letter I have written, I have emphasized that political and international decisions directly affect the lives of these families. Even when peace is spoken of, these families are still exposed to the consequences of those decisions, and they fear that peace means the continued survival of the Islamic Republic.”

Moqaddasi, stressing the need for clarity and attention to the demands of affected families, stated: “In previous letters to the U.S. president, I have written that today the hopes of many bereaved families rest with you, and it is expected that the promises made to the Iranian people will be fulfilled in practice, and that you will finish the Islamic Republic.”

He continued, referring to the broader dimensions of his advocacy: “This is just one example among many. Erfan is one of thousands who gave their lives for their country during those two nights, January 8 and 9.”

The justice-seeking uncle of Erfan Faraji, noting how many families are caught up in this tragedy, added: “These are deeply wronged people, and I don’t know how to make the world hear their cries.”

He concluded by explaining his motivations for writing to international officials: “I should emphasize that I don’t only write to President Trump, and my goal is not solely to influence one particular person. Yes, why not? I aim to make him aware of what is happening in the country, the situation of the bereaved families, and the families that have been torn apart.”

Erfan’s Family Wishes for Death Every Day

Majid Moqaddasi describes the psychological state of Erfan’s surviving family as deeply critical: “Erfan’s family, my sister, Atefeh (Erfan’s sister), and my sister’s husband are not in a good state at all. They have become housebound and are truly not doing well. Sadly, every day they feel that life no longer has any value for them, and they wish for death. I think that is the simplest sentence I can use to describe their situation. They still cannot believe that this has happened. The grief and pain are so deep and devastating that I don’t think they will ever go away.”

Moqaddasi says, “My sister has still not returned to life and feels guilty for having survived. One of the things she says is: ‘I wish I had been there beside Erfan.’”

He also mentions the ongoing threats from security forces: “Word has reached me that my sister and her family have been told they must not be in contact with me. For that reason, I receive news of their well-being only through intermediaries.”

“Be an Uncle to the Children of the January Victims”

Majid Moqaddasi, Erfan Faraji’s uncle, says that the families of other victims have placed a heavy burden on his shoulders. They call him “uncle” and tell him, “Be an uncle to our children too.”

On this, he says: “It creates an enormous responsibility for me. I feel the weight of it myself, and sometimes it distresses me that I cannot do enough.”

According to Moqaddasi, his sister’s family is going through an extremely difficult period and has still not returned to normal life. He says, “Most of the time they stay at home. They have no desire to go outside and usually remain indoors. They don’t even go to work.”

Moqaddasi also speaks of support groups forming abroad for the justice-seeking families of the January victims, which have begun providing financial assistance to some families who lost their breadwinners. He explains: “Groups motivated by humanitarian and supportive goals have joined this effort and are providing help to families facing financial hardship. I have also spoken with various individuals so that, where financial need exists, support can be arranged for some families through these channels. In one or two cases, steps have already been taken, and this process is continuing. Our friends are also active in this area, and support has been arranged and is being carried out for families who have lost their breadwinner or are unable to work due to current circumstances.”

How Was 18-Year-Old Erfan Faraji Killed by the Suppression Forces?

Mohammad Erfan Faraji was killed by a bullet in the Behesht Square neighborhood of Naziabad, Tehran. His uncle, Majid Moqaddasi, had previously told IranWire that the bullet entered Erfan’s body from behind, passed through his heart, and exited through his chest. The incident occurred at around 8 p.m. on January 8. Erfan was a resident of Shahr-e Rey.

Following reports of Erfan’s killing, the Islamic Republic state broadcaster IRIB systematically approached his family and attempted to coerce them into a forced confession. In a video broadcast on state television, an interrogator-reporter tried to get the family to say that Erfan had not been at the protests and had merely gone out to buy something. Erfan’s mother was pressured into repeating this fabricated account.

Erfan’s uncle rejected this narrative and told IranWire: “My sister said in that video that Erfan had gone out shopping, but that was not true. The story about buying shoes was entirely made up.” According to him, Erfan had repeatedly posted about attending protests on his Instagram page. He added: “I always used to tell him, ‘Do whatever you want, dear, just take care of yourself.’ It is said that on the night he was killed, he was filming with his phone when he was shot.”

On the night of January 8, as people began gathering, Erfan was filming the protests when he was shot at close range. People helped move him to a friend’s home. The friend contacted his family to say that Erfan had been shot and had lost consciousness.

That night, the family had been planning to surprise Erfan with a belated 18th birthday party. Before his parents could reach the house where Erfan was being sheltered, his friend, with the help of neighbors, moved him to another home to keep him out of the reach of security forces. His condition was critical, and he was unconscious. His wounded body was taken to Amir al-Momenin Hospital, where medical staff told the family that Erfan had died instantly.

Erfan was born on January 6, 2008. The family had organized a birthday celebration for the night of January 8 and planned to surprise him. They were waiting for him to come home when news reached them that he had been shot.

When Erfan’s family went to the hospital, they were asked to pay one billion tomans before his body would be released. His body was ultimately transferred to Kahrizak. The following day, the family went to Kahrizak and identified their child among thousands of bodies under number 11901.

According to Erfan’s uncle, the family, after extensive follow-up and through personal connections, eventually managed to receive Erfan’s body. His burial was held at Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery in Tehran under heavy security measures and amid threats to the family.

Under continued pressure, the family was only permitted to hold a small memorial at the Arakiha Hosseiniyeh. They were not allowed to hold the seventh-day mourning ceremony at a mosque. Security forces had threatened the family, warning that if news of Erfan’s killing became public, they would not be permitted to hold any memorial at all.