Trump claims execution of Iran protesters ‘has stopped’ as US weighs military intervention

‘We’re gonna watch and see’

On being asked if that meant US military action against Iran is off the table, Trump said, “We’re gonna watch and see what the process is, but we were given a very good statement by people that are aware of what’s going on.”

Trump’s remarks came after he put out a post on his Truth Social account stating “help was on its way”, triggering massive speculations of a strike on Tehran.

“Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!… HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” he said in a post on Truth Social.

He further stated that he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until they stopped the “senseless killing” of protesters, and later in a speech, told Iranians to “save the name of the killers and the abusers … because they’ll pay a very big price.”

Iranian official says more than 2,000 killed in protests

The nationwide protests, sparked by worsening economic conditions, drew thousands of demonstrators to the streets.

Iranian security forces responded with a brutal crackdown, with figures ranging from around 2,000 to possibly over 12,000, though the exact number of deaths is not known. An Iranian official also told Reuters that 2,000 people had been killed but that “terrorists” were to blame.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that it had so far confirmed the killing of 1,850 protesters, 135 people affiliated with the government and nine uninvolved civilians, as well as nine children, over the last 17 days despite an internet blackout.