Former US President Donald Trump said he has been informed that lethal violence linked to Iran’s recent protest crackdown has stopped, while warning that Washington still retains strong options if the situation worsens.
Speaking from the White House on Wednesday, Trump said his administration received assurances from what he described as reliable sources that executions were no longer planned and that the wave of deadly force was easing.
Trump said he had received information suggesting the violence in Iran was easing. “We hope that information is accurate.”
Death Toll Remains High
Human rights organizations report that more than 2,400 people have been killed during weeks of nationwide protests. Hundreds of additional deaths are still under review as information continues to emerge despite heavy restrictions on independent reporting.
Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed those figures.
Regional Security Measures Intensify
The comments came as the United States and Britain reduced staffing levels at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar. Officials described the move as a precaution due to rising regional tensions.
Iran also briefly closed its airspace overnight, prompting several international airlines to reroute flights. Germany later advised air operators to avoid Iranian airspace, citing growing risks from escalating conflict and potential anti-aircraft threats.
Lufthansa confirmed it would avoid both Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice.
British Embassy Shifts to Remote Operations
The United Kingdom temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran, moving operations online for safety reasons. Italy and Poland separately urged their citizens to leave Iran as conditions deteriorated.
Dispute Over Protester’s Death Sentence
Earlier this week, Trump warned of “forceful action” if Iran proceeded with executions of detained protesters. His statement followed reports that 26-year-old Erfan Soltani had been sentenced to death.
Iranian state media later denied that Soltani faced execution, saying he had been arrested during protests but not condemned to death. His family reported that any planned execution had been postponed.
Trump Cites Unnamed Sources
Trump said his information came from “important sources on the other side” and stressed he hoped their assurances were truthful.
“We’re watching very closely,” he said.
Military Base on Alert
The US embassy in Doha advised personnel to limit non-essential travel to Al-Udeid, the largest American military base in the Middle East, which hosts about 10,000 US troops and around 100 British staff.
Qatar said it continues to implement all measures necessary to protect residents and facilities.
Protest Support and Political Caution
Trump has publicly encouraged Iranian demonstrators, urging them to continue protesting and promising international support. However, he has avoided openly endorsing any replacement for Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Asked about Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, Trump said he was unsure whether Iranians would accept his leadership.
“He seems very nice,” Trump said, “but I don’t know how he would be received inside his own country.”
Uncertain Political Future
Trump said Iran’s government could collapse under pressure from the protests, while noting that political systems can fall unexpectedly.
Iran has enforced a nationwide internet blackout since last week, making independent verification of events extremely difficult. Most foreign media organizations remain unable to report from inside the country.
Human Rights Groups Track Casualties
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said it has confirmed 2,435 protester deaths, including 13 children. An additional 882 cases are still being investigated.
