Donald Trump has said he has received information indicating that the deadly crackdown on protesters in Iran has eased, though he has not ruled out possible military action against Tehran if violence resumes.
Speaking at the White House, the US president said he had been told by what he described as reliable sources that “the killing in Iran is stopping” and that there were no immediate plans to carry out executions of detained protesters. He added that he hoped the reports were accurate, but warned that Washington was still watching developments closely.
The remarks came amid heightened security moves by Western governments. The United States and the United Kingdom have both reduced staff at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, a move officials described as precautionary. Iran also temporarily closed its airspace for several hours, forcing airlines to reroute flights, while the UK shut its embassy in Tehran and shifted operations to remote management.
Human rights organisations say the toll from Iran’s recent crackdown is severe. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, more than 2,400 protesters have been killed so far, with hundreds of additional cases still being reviewed. The unrest began in late December after Iran’s currency collapsed, but quickly evolved into wider protests against the country’s clerical leadership.
One case that drew international attention was that of Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old shop owner arrested during the demonstrations. His family had been told he faced execution, prompting strong reactions from Western leaders. Iranian state media later denied that a death sentence had been issued, while Iran’s foreign minister said publicly that no executions were planned.
At the same time, several countries have advised their citizens to leave Iran or avoid its airspace, citing growing security risks. Germany has warned airlines not to fly over the country, and carriers such as Lufthansa have confirmed they will steer clear of Iranian and Iraqi skies until further notice.
Trump has taken a hard line in public statements, urging Iranians to continue protesting and warning Tehran against executing detainees. However, he has stopped short of backing any specific opposition leader, saying it was not yet clear whether the current leadership could fall or who might replace it.
With internet access heavily restricted inside Iran and foreign media unable to operate freely, confirming events on the ground remains difficult. Nonetheless, international pressure on Tehran continues to grow as concerns over human rights and regional stability deepen.
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