U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he signals a pause in military threats against Iran amid reports of easing tensions.
US President Donald Trump signaled a shift in tone on Thursday as he stepped back from earlier suggestions of military action against Iran. Instead of threatening force, he said the United States would take a wait-and-see approach after receiving information that violence against protesters in Iran was slowing and that there were no immediate plans for mass executions.
Trump said he had received assurances from what he described as important sources inside Iran. According to him, the Iranian authorities had stopped killing protesters and had paused executions. When asked directly whether US military action was no longer an option, Trump replied that Washington would observe developments before making any decisions.
Markets React to Calmer Signals
Trump’s remarks had an immediate effect on global markets. Oil prices, which had climbed to multi-month highs amid fears of conflict, eased after his comments. Investors appeared relieved by signs that tensions might not escalate into a wider regional crisis.
The president also mentioned that his administration had received a positive message from Tehran. He said he hoped the situation would continue to improve, suggesting that diplomacy might still prevent further confrontation.
Reports of Halted Executions
At the same time, reports from rights groups and Iranian state media supported claims that executions had been put on hold. Iranian media reported that Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old man arrested during protests in the city of Karaj, would not face the death penalty.
A rights organization that had earlier warned Soltani was scheduled to be executed confirmed that the order had been postponed. Trump reacted to the news on social media, calling it good news.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also addressed the issue in an interview with Fox News. He said there would be no executions in the coming days, reinforcing the message that authorities were easing their response.
Iran Claims Control Over Situation
Iranian officials insisted the situation inside the country was under control. Araghchi said the government had restored calm after what he described as several days of violent activity. He claimed that protests that began over economic concerns were later influenced by outside forces aiming to push the region toward war.
This view was echoed by Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam. Speaking in Islamabad, he said the situation had stabilized and that protests had ended. He also claimed to have information suggesting Trump did not want war and had asked Iran to avoid targeting US interests in the region.
Moghadam acknowledged that people had the right to protest and said the government had engaged in talks with demonstrators. However, he accused Western media outlets of encouraging violence and worsening the crisis.
Warnings Against Foreign Interference
Iranian officials strongly criticized statements made by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in January. Moghadam said such comments amounted to interference in Iran’s internal affairs and added fuel to the unrest.
He described the recent events as among the most serious in Iran’s history. According to him, armed groups were responsible for killings, attacks on mosques and imambargahs, and acts of arson. He warned that Iran remained ready to respond if attacked by Israel or the United States. He added that the country was on high alert and had temporarily closed its airspace.
Gulf States Push for De-escalation
Regional countries also worked behind the scenes to prevent conflict. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman led intense diplomatic efforts to convince Trump not to launch an attack on Iran. A senior Saudi official said the Gulf states feared severe consequences for the region if fighting broke out.
The three countries urged Washington to give Iran a chance to show restraint. The Saudi official described the situation as tense and said talks were ongoing to maintain trust and avoid further escalation. According to him, the message to the US was clear that any attack on Iran could trigger serious and unpredictable fallout across the Middle East.
UN Security Council to Review Situation
The crisis is now set to be discussed at the United Nations. The UN Security Council scheduled a briefing on the situation in Iran for January 15, 2026. The session was requested by the United States and confirmed by Somalia, which currently holds the council’s rotating presidency. The briefing is expected to focus on the unrest, the government’s response, and concerns raised by international rights groups.
Doubts Over Opposition Figures
While easing military pressure, Trump also expressed doubts about alternative political leadership in Iran. In an interview with Reuters, he questioned whether Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, had enough support inside the country to lead any future transition. Trump said Pahlavi appeared pleasant but added that it was unclear how he would be received by Iranians. He stressed that the situation had not reached a point where such questions were immediately relevant.
Rights Concerns and Misinformation
Despite signs of de-escalation, international pressure on Iran remains strong. The Group of Seven nations condemned what they called the brutal repression of protesters. Rights groups reported high casualties, with the US-based HRANA group verifying more than 2,400 deaths. Amnesty International accused Iranian authorities of unlawful killings on a large scale.
An internet blackout inside Iran has made reliable information harder to obtain. This gap has been filled by misleading content online. Media watchdog NewsGuard identified several fabricated videos created using artificial video tools. These clips, shared by both supporters and opponents of the government, attracted millions of views and added to the confusion surrounding events on the ground.
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