President Trump backed away from threats to strike Iran after receiving assurances about the treatment of protesters, saying he had been told on "good authority" that killings had stopped and no executions were planned.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday evening, Trump stated: "We've been told that the killing in Iran is stopping - it's stopped - it's stopping. And there's no plan for executions, or an execution, or execution - so I've been told that on good authority." He acknowledged the US had not yet verified these claims and offered no further details.
Trump had repeatedly discussed potential military action in recent days, saying the US was "locked and loaded" if Iran began shooting at protesters. However, despite reports that thousands of Iranians had been killed and executions were imminent, he made no announcement of strikes. According to reports, Trump reviewed options for military action but remained unconvinced that any single strike would produce decisive results.
The pullback came as senior officials from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan contacted Trump with assurances that a diplomatic agreement was within reach. These three countries, which maintain relationships with both the US and Iran, positioned themselves as critical mediators at a moment of escalating tensions.
According to diplomats and US officials, the emerging agreement would extend the current ceasefire for 60 days, including in Lebanon, while nuclear negotiations proceed. The memorandum calls for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen immediately without tolls and for Iran to receive sanctions relief based on its compliance with agreement terms. The text also includes a framework for addressing Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, though specific actions on the nuclear program remain under negotiation.
Trump claimed that Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told Fox News there were no plans for executions, with Araghchi stating "hanging is out of the question." Meanwhile, Erfan Soltani, the first protester sentenced to death since the unrest began, had his execution postponed. The Iranian judiciary later said Soltani had not been sentenced to death and would face imprisonment rather than capital punishment if convicted.
By late afternoon Wednesday, the Pentagon began standing down forces and preparing to return troops to base, with a senior military official describing Trump's comments as an "off-ramp." Long-range bombers that had been placed on alert were quietly stood down.
The intervention highlighted Trump's unpredictable approach to Iran policy in recent weeks, with his rhetoric and actions swinging sharply between military threats and sudden pauses. Some strategists argue such signals are designed to deter further Iranian actions and push Tehran toward concessions without actual military strikes.