U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he had received assurances from “very important sources” indicating that “the killing in Iran has stopped” following widespread anti-government protests. However, he did not dismiss the possibility of future military action against Tehran.
The statement comes amid a severe crackdown by Iranian authorities, which human rights organizations report has resulted in over 2,400 fatalities. In response to the escalating regional instability, both the U.S. and the U.K. have initiated precautionary measures, including reducing staff at the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar—the largest American military installation in the Middle East.
International concern has mounted following reports that a 26-year-old protester, Erfan Soltani, was sentenced to death. Although his family initially reported an imminent execution, Iranian state media later denied the death penalty had been issued. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that “hanging is out of the question,” while cautioning the U.S. against repeating its June 2025 bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities.
Several nations have issued travel advisories and altered flight paths. Germany’s Lufthansa, among other airlines, announced it would avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace indefinitely. The British Embassy in Tehran has temporarily closed, operating remotely, and Italy and Poland have urged citizens to leave Iran.
Internet blackouts imposed by Iranian authorities since last Thursday have severely hampered independent verification of events on the ground. Organizations like HRANA continue to document casualties, reporting 2,435 confirmed deaths, including 13 children, with hundreds more cases under investigation.
Trump expressed tentative optimism regarding de-escalation but reaffirmed that the U.S. remains prepared to act, stating earlier this week via social media that “HELP IS ON ITS WAY” to Iranian protesters.