'No Plan For Executions': Trump Claims Iran Has Halted Killing Of Protestors

Washington: After days of warnings and rising threats of escalation, US President Donald Trump said Iran has stopped executing protesters, seeking to dial down fears of a fresh escalation.

What did Trump say about Iran's actions?

Speaking after days of sharp rhetoric and mounting concern, Donald Trump said there was "no plan for executions" and claimed Tehran had pulled back from killing people detained during recent unrest.

"We've been told that the killing in Iran is stopping - it's stopped - it's stopping," Trump said. 

"And there's no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions - so I’ve been told that on good authority," he added.

The remark marked a noticeable shift from earlier warnings that had raised alarms across capitals and markets. It also appeared aimed at easing pressure after reports and social media claims suggested a harsher crackdown could be imminent.

Why did tensions rise in the first place?

The past week saw a flurry of threats and counter-warnings linked to Iran’s internal protests and its strained ties with the West. Statements from Washington, coupled with speculation about Tehran’s next move, fueled fears of a wider confrontation.

The claim came after the concern over the fate of 26-year-old Iranian protester Erfan Soltani, who had faced the prospect of imminent execution after being detained less than a week earlier for taking part in protests against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

The Norway-based Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights on late Wednesday reported that Soltani’s execution had been postponed.

Human rights groups and Iranian activists had flagged concerns about arrests and possible death sentences following street protests. The uncertainty prompted sharp reactions online and diplomatic backchannel activity.

Is there independent confirmation from Iran?

Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed Trump' claim. Tehran has, in the past, rejected outside criticism of its handling of protests, calling it interference in internal affairs. 

State media has offered limited detail on detainees, and access for independent verification remains restricted.

How are rights groups reacting?

Human rights organisations remain cautious. Many say they will wait for concrete evidence that executions or death sentences have been halted. “We’ve heard assurances before,” a rights advocate said. “What matters is due process, access to lawyers, and the safety of detainees.”

More than 18,000 people have been detained during the protests and reported that over 2,600 people have been killed in the crackdown,  according to rights groups.