Iran killing: Trump Says It Has Stopped, Pulls Back Strike Threats

Published: 15 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Donald Trump has signalled a temporary pullback from military threats against Iran, claiming he has been assured that the Iran killing of protesters has stopped and no executions are planned. The US president told reporters at the White House on Wednesday night that Iranian authorities had confirmed to “very important sources on the other side” that lethal force had ceased, though he provided no verification of the claims. This statement marks a notable shift after days of Trump warning he was “locked and loaded” if Tehran harmed demonstrators.

Trump’s comments come amid reports that thousands of Iranians have died during the ongoing unrest, and concerns about further Iran killing in retaliation through executions. Despite reviewing military options, Trump appeared unconvinced that any strike would achieve decisive results. “We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping – it’s stopped – it’s stopping,” he said, emphasising that the US had yet to confirm the information independently.

Past actions suggest Trump has previously used ambiguous statements on Iran to manage both domestic perception and negotiations. In June, he implied US officials were deeply engaged in nuclear talks with Tehran, while military preparations for the 12-day conflict were ongoing. This pattern of signalling caution followed by feints continues to characterise his approach to Iran, particularly amid heightened tensions over anti-government protests and fears of renewed Iran killing.

The US president said that executions previously expected to occur that day would not take place. He stated: “There were supposed to be a lot of executions today… the executions won’t take place – and we’re going to find out.” Trump did not provide precise figures of deaths, which vary widely in reports. Meanwhile, leaders in the Middle East lobbied the president to avoid strikes, warning of inevitable Iranian counterattacks on US bases.

Iranian officials also sought to reassure the international community. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News that no executions were planned in retaliation for the protests, noting, “Hanging is out of the question.” Similarly, judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i indicated that any actions would be carried out carefully and only at the proper time. Erfan Soltani, the first protester sentenced to death since unrest began, was reported to have had his execution postponed following intervention from his family. Despite reassurances, international observers remain cautious about Iran killing resuming under government authority.

The Iranian government has continued its internet blackout, now entering its eighth day, although domestic telephone calls remain possible. In response to heightened tensions, Iran closed its airspace to most flights on Thursday, with airlines such as Lufthansa rerouting to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace. Meanwhile, US embassies in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar took precautionary measures, advising staff to avoid military installations temporarily. The UK also began evacuating staff from Tehran.

Tehran reportedly warned regional hosts of US bases that they could face retaliation in the event of a strike. Historical precedents, including the June missile attack on al-Udeid base after US nuclear facility strikes, underscore the volatility of US-Iran military interactions. Analysts emphasise that despite these warnings, Trump’s cautious approach signals an attempt to avoid immediate escalation.

In his Fox News interview, Araghchi stressed diplomacy over conflict, saying: “Between war and diplomacy, diplomacy is a better way, although we don’t have any positive experience from the United States. But still diplomacy is much better than war.” Despite this, there remains no breakthrough in resolving disputes over Iran’s nuclear stockpile and uranium enrichment policies. Amnesty International and other human rights groups continue to monitor the country closely, citing the risk of renewed Iran killing and systematic abuse.

Trump also expressed uncertainty about Reza Pahlavi, an exiled opposition leader, noting he was unsure whether Pahlavi could secure sufficient support within Iran. “He seems very nice, but I don’t know how he’d play within his own country,” Trump said, suggesting US involvement in Iranian leadership challenges remains distant.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet Thursday for a briefing on the situation in Iran, highlighting global concern over escalating unrest. Meanwhile, G7 foreign ministers warned that additional restrictive measures could be imposed on Iran due to the government’s violent crackdown on protests, arbitrary detentions, and intimidation tactics. Trump’s recent remarks signal a careful recalibration in US policy, prioritising intelligence assessments over immediate military action, to prevent further Iran killing while maintaining regional stability.

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