US PresidentDonald Trumpon Wednesday said that Iran has halted executions and the killing of anti-government protesters, citing information from what he described as “very important sources on the other side.” His remarks mark a softer tone after days of escalating rhetoric that included warnings of possible US military action.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said he had been told that planned executions linked to the protests were no longer going ahead. “The killing has stopped. The executions have stopped and are not going to happen,” he said, adding that his administration would now monitor developments closely rather than act immediately.
The comments came amid global concern over the fate of detained protesters, including 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, whose execution was reportedly postponed, according to rights groups. Trump declined to reveal who provided him with the information but said the White House had also received what he called a “very good statement” fromIran.
Despite the apparent de-escalation in rhetoric, Trump did not rule out military action. His remarks followed the US withdrawal of some personnel from a military base in Qatar, underscoring the continued risk of confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Iran’s Foreign MinisterAbbas Araghchidenied that Tehran planned to carry out executions by hanging, telling Fox News that there was “no plan for hanging” and that such punishment was “out of the question.” However, Iran’s judiciary sent mixed signals, with senior officials publicly backing swift trials for those detained during the unrest.
Judiciary chiefGholamhossein Mohseni-Ejeisaid authorities should act quickly against detainees, warning that delays would reduce the deterrent effect. Rights groups estimate that more than 18,000 people have been detained since the protests began.
Iran has been rocked by widespread demonstrations against Supreme LeaderAyatollah Ali Khamenei, driven by economic hardship, political repression and public anger over governance. TheHuman Rights Activists News Agencyreports that over 2,600 people have been killed in the crackdown, with some estimates putting the death toll above 3,000 — one of the deadliest episodes of unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Trump and senior US officials have repeatedly voiced support for Iranian protesters. Earlier this week, Trump said he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials and warned Tehran to halt the violence, even as the White House confirmed that military options remain on the table, with diplomacy still the preferred path.
