Trump Says Iran Killings Have Stopped but Keeps Military Action on Table

By Blessing Nweke

US President Donald Trump has said he has been told that “the killing in Iran has stopped,” even as he declined to rule out American military action against Tehran over its violent crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests.

Human rights groups say Iranian authorities have killed more than 2,400 people in recent weeks as demonstrations spread across the country following the collapse of the national currency and wider anger over political and economic conditions.

Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said his administration had received information “on good authority” that the violence was easing and that there were “no plans for executions.” He added that the intelligence came from “very important sources on the other side,” while cautioning that he hoped the reports were accurate.

His remarks came amid heightened regional tensions. The US and UK have both reduced personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest American military installation in the Middle East, describing the move as a precaution. Iran also closed its airspace to most flights for several hours overnight, prompting airlines to reroute. The UK temporarily shut its embassy in Tehran, joining Italy and Poland in urging citizens to leave Iran, while Germany advised airlines to avoid Iranian airspace.

Trump had earlier threatened “very strong action” if Iran carried out executions of protesters, following reports that 26- year-old clothes shop owner Erfan Soltani had been sentenced to death. His family later said the execution was postponed, while Iranian state media denied that a death sentence had been issued.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “hanging is out of the question” and warned Trump not to repeat what he called a “failed experience,” referring to US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025.

Despite urging Iranians to “KEEP PROTESTING” in a recent social media post, Trump said he was not yet backing any specific opposition figure, including exiled royal Reza Pahlavi.

Iran has imposed a nationwide internet blackout, making independent verification difficult. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says it has confirmed at least 2,435 protester deaths so far, including 13 children.