WashingtonOn Friday, January 16, US President Donald Trump unexpectedly praised the Iranian government for postponing the planned executions of more than 800 individuals, suggesting a possible reduction in hostilities as the country's protests seem to be waning. Before leaving for his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn that he had "great respect" for the decision and that it had a "big impact." This comes after Trump warned for days that if the crackdown got worse, the US military might step in.
Trump's social media nod and public expression of gratitudeTrump's comments represented a change from his previous aggressive posture. "More than 800 people were spared from hanging in Iran. He told reporters, "I really appreciate that they cancelled the over 800 people they were going to hang yesterday." He shared a straightforward "Thank you!" on social media along with assertions that over 800 executions—which some have claimed targeted political prisoners—had been prevented.
Trump responded, "Well, we're going to see," when asked if his initial suggestions of US assistance ("Help is on the way") still applied. "Nobody convinced me," he insisted, rejecting claims that Israeli or Arab officials had influenced him. "I persuaded myself," Trump said, raising doubts about the intelligence supporting his claims because he did not cite his sources for confirming the cancellations.
With options open, the White House keeps a close eye onDuring a briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed Trump's stance, stating that the administration is "closely monitoring the situation in Iran." Although she praised the suspension of executions as a step in the right direction, she cautioned that there would be "grave consequences" if the killings continued.Leavitt reiterated Trump's earlier intervention threats, saying, "The President has all options on the table."
This comes after Trump stated on Wednesday that the killings of protesters had stopped, leading him to "watch and see" rather than make an immediate commitment. A wait-and-see strategy is suggested by the administration's messaging, with military strikes now seeming less likely.
Economic problems spark protests, which are now quietThe Iranian rial's record decline amid a series of crises, including unprecedented water shortages, power outages, skyrocketing unemployment, and widespread inflation, set off the unrest at Tehran's Grand Bazaar on December 28. Protests against the theocracy of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei swiftly spread across the country.
Iranian authorities repressed dissent by enforcing a week-long internet blackout. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported a death toll of 2,797 as of Friday, a figure that is still rising, despite the fact that street life in Tehran appears to have returned to normal with no recent protest signs. Other areas have not released any official reports of ongoing unrest.
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Worldwide responses and cautionsDue to the "volatile security situation," India's government urged its citizens living in Iran to leave, promising to keep a close eye on them and provide support. Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Crown Prince of Iran, urged Trump to follow through on his promises, referring to him as "a man of his word" and supporting US intervention.
Reports of thousands of people killed by repression contrast with Trump's upbeat outlook, underscoring differences between US assessments and reality on the ground. The episode highlights the delicate relationships between regime control, international pressure, and economic despair as protests wane.