The crisis between Iran and Trump has entered a tense new phase as protests inside Iran turn deadly and the White House weighs its next move.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he has been told that Iran has halted the killing of protesters and paused planned executions, following days of intense warnings from Washington. Rights groups, however, say the death toll from the nationwide crackdown has already crossed 3,400, making it one of the bloodiest protest movements in the country’s modern history.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said he received assurances from what he called “very important sources on the other side” that executions scheduled for the day would not go ahead.
“They’ve said the killing has stopped and the executions won’t take place,” Trump told reporters. “We’re going to watch it and see.”
He stressed that the United States has not independently verified the claims and made clear that military action is still an option. Asked directly whether a U.S. strike was now off the table, Trump replied, “We’re going to watch and see what the process is.”
Iran Confirms Pause, Blames ‘Outside Elements’
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later echoed part of Trump’s claim, telling Fox News that there would be “no hanging today or tomorrow.” At the same time, he accused Israel and unnamed foreign actors of fueling violence inside Iran, alleging the unrest was designed to provoke Trump into launching a new war.
According to Araghchi, protests that began over economic hardship in late December turned violent between January 7 and 10 after being infiltrated by outside forces. Iran’s justice minister, Amin Hossein Rahimi, went further, saying that those arrested after January 7 were “definitely criminals,” not protesters.
Rights organizations strongly dispute that narrative. Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based group, says at least 3,428 protesters have been killed and more than 10,000 arrested. Amnesty International has accused Iranian authorities of mass unlawful killings on an “unprecedented scale,” citing verified videos and eyewitness accounts.
One small sign of relief came when relatives of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, arrested during the protests, were informed that his scheduled execution would not take place on Wednesday.
Trump Signals Pressure, Not Blind Escalation
The Iran–Trump standoff has rattled the region for days, fueled by fears of a U.S. military intervention. Trump has repeatedly said the United States could step in to support Iranian protesters if executions went ahead.
Sources familiar with White House discussions say Trump wants any military action to be swift, decisive, and regime-shaking, not a drawn-out conflict. But advisers have not been able to guarantee that a strike would quickly collapse Iran’s leadership, raising concerns about retaliation against U.S. forces and allies.
“If he does something, he wants it to be definitive,” one person familiar with the discussions said.
So far, Trump appears to be holding back. “I hope it’s true,” he said of Iran’s claimed pause. “Who knows?”
Region on Edge as Security Tightens
Despite the temporary halt in executions, tensions remain high. The United Nations announced an emergency Security Council meeting for Thursday at the request of the United States. G7 nations said they were “deeply alarmed” by reports of mass killings and warned of further sanctions if the crackdown continues.
Western governments have taken precautionary steps. Britain temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran. The U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia urged staff to avoid military installations. Lufthansa said it would avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice.
Iran, meanwhile, struck a defiant tone. Senior adviser Ali Shamkhani warned that Tehran has both the will and the capability to respond to any U.S. attack, pointing to last year’s strike on the U.S. Al Udeid air base in Qatar as proof. This week, the U.S. quietly relocated hundreds of troops from that base as a precaution.
Internet Blackout and Fear Inside Iran
Much of the crackdown unfolded under a five-day internet blackout that lasted 144 hours, according to NetBlocks. Even so, verified videos showed bodies stacked at the Kahrizak mortuary near Tehran, as desperate families searched for missing relatives.
Iran’s judiciary has vowed fast-track trials for detainees, raising fears that capital punishment could still be used as a tool of repression. Prosecutors have accused some protesters of “waging war against God,” a charge that can carry the death penalty.
Officials insist the situation is now under control. Araghchi said the government is in “full control” and described the atmosphere as calm after what he called three days of “terrorist operations.” A senior Iranian official claimed there have been no new “riots” since Monday.
A Fragile Pause, Not a Resolution
For now, the killings and executions appear to be paused, but few believe the crisis is over. Trump has made clear he is watching closely, and his administration continues to prepare military options, even as it avoids committing to action.
The protests are the largest Iran has seen since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Whether this moment leads to de-escalation or a deeper confrontation between Iran and Trump may depend on what happens next inside the country — and whether Tehran’s promises hold.
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