Web Desk (MNN); US President Donald Trump has said he has been informed that the killing of protesters in Iran has stopped, but he has not ruled out possible military action against Tehran over its violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrations.
Speaking on Wednesday, Trump said he received information from what he described as reliable sources that Iranian authorities had halted executions and that no further killings were planned. He added that he hoped the reports were accurate.
According to human rights organisations, more than 2,400 people have been killed during the recent nationwide protests, which began over economic grievances and later turned into a broader challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership.
Trump’s remarks came as the United States and the United Kingdom reduced staff at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, describing the move as a precautionary step. Iran also briefly closed its airspace, while several international airlines announced flight diversions. The UK temporarily shut its embassy in Tehran, switching to remote operations.
Earlier, Trump had warned of “very strong action” if Iran carried out executions of protesters, following reports that a 26-year-old detainee, Erfan Soltani, had been sentenced to death. Iranian state media later denied that Soltani had received a death sentence, while his family said they had received no clear information about his case.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said executions of protesters were “out of the question” and warned the US president against repeating what he called past mistakes, referring to US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025.
Meanwhile, Washington has imposed new sanctions on Iran, targeting senior political and security officials accused of orchestrating the crackdown. Among those sanctioned is Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a close adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions were intended to hold Iranian leaders accountable for human rights abuses. The measures freeze US-based assets and bar Americans from doing business with the designated individuals.
Although Iran is already heavily sanctioned, the latest steps signal increased US pressure. Tehran has dismissed the protests as foreign-backed unrest and claims more than 100 security personnel have been killed during the demonstrations.
The US has also announced fresh measures against 18 companies and individuals allegedly involved in Iran’s energy exports, as part of efforts to tighten economic pressure on the country.
