Trump claims ‘killing in Iran is stopping’, but keeps US options open
US president says that Iran hangings are off the table, and to ‘watch it and see’ about military action
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday made a vague statement that he had been told “on good authority” that plans for executions in Iran have stopped, even as Tehran has indicated fast trials and executions ahead in its crackdown on protesters.
The US president’s claims, which were made with few details, come after he told protesting Iranians in recent days that “help is on the way” and that his administration would “act accordingly” to respond to the Iranian government.
But Trump has not offered any details about how the US might respond and it was not clear if his comments Wednesday indicated he would hold off on action.
“We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping – it’s stopped – it’s stopping,” Trump said at the White House while signing executive orders and legislation.
“And there’s no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions – so I’ve been told that on good authority.”