WASHINGTON/DUBAI — U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests appears to be easing. At the same time, Iranian authorities denied reports that a detained protester is facing imminent execution.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he had received information indicating that killings linked to the protests had slowed and that there was no current plan for mass executions of demonstrators. His remarks followed earlier warnings that the United States would respond strongly if Iran proceeded with executions related to the unrest.
“They say they’re not doing that,” Trump said, referring to executions, adding that the situation would be closely monitored.
Iranian state media separately reported that a 26-year-old man arrested in Karaj, west of Tehran, would not be executed, contradicting earlier reports by rights groups that the detainee had received a death sentence. Kurdish human rights group Hengaw said the execution had been postponed, citing information from the man’s family.
Iran’s foreign minister also denied reports of planned executions, telling U.S. media there was “no plan” to hang protesters, as Tehran sought to push back against international criticism of its handling of the demonstrations.
The protests, sparked by worsening economic conditions, represent one of the most serious internal challenges to Iran’s clerical leadership in recent years. Iranian authorities have accused the United States and Israel of stirring unrest and have described some protesters as “terrorists,” a claim denied by opposition groups.
Market reaction to Trump’s remarks was immediate, with oil and gold prices easing as concerns over a potential escalation between Washington and Tehran temporarily subsided.
In a separate interview, Trump commented on Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, saying he “seems very nice,” but expressed uncertainty about whether he could unify opposition forces inside Iran.
Despite signs that protests may have slowed, tensions remain high. Sources told Reuters that Iran had warned neighboring countries it could target U.S. military bases in the region if Washington launches an attack. The United States has reportedly begun withdrawing some personnel from regional bases as a precaution.
People inside Iran told Reuters that street demonstrations appeared to have diminished since Monday, though an ongoing internet blackout continues to restrict independent verification of conditions on the ground.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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