Topline
President Donald Trump said Iran had stopped “the killing” as well as its plans to execute protesters, as anti-government demonstrations continue and the U.S. reportedly considers military intervention in the Middle Eastern nation.
President Donald Trump expressed solidarity with protesters Tuesday and canceled meetings with Iranian officials.
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Key Facts
“We were told that the killing in Iran is stopping,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, and that there were “no plan for executions.”
“I’m sure if it happens we’ll be very upset,” Trump added, possibly alluding to a warning he made in a CBS News interview that the U.S. would “take very strong action” if Iran began executing protesters.
The news comes as reports earlier in the day indicated Iran is preparing to execute a 26-year-old protester and speculation mounted over a possible U.S. attack on Iran if it did carry out executions.
Erfan Soltani was arrested on Jan. 8 for participating in a protest in the city of Fardis, his family told Norway-based human rights group Hengaw Organization, and was scheduled to be executed on Wednesday after a rushed trial.
Soltani’s family said they were not allowed to access information about his arrest or trial, and were only offered a brief meeting with him before his execution.
Earlier on Wednesday, two European military officials told Reuters the U.S. could intervene in Iran within the next 24 hours—but one official also cautioned the Trump administration’s strategy was unpredictable in order to “keep everyone on their toes.”
The death toll from the ongoing protests has risen to at least 3,428 protester deaths as of Wednesday, according to Norway-based Iran Human Rights.
Meanwhile, Iran warned neighboring countries it would respond with retaliatory strikes on U.S. military bases if the U.S. attacked, Reuters reported, prompting the U.S. to evacuate some personnel from a major air force base in Qatar.
Iran’s warning comes after Trump on Tuesday said he canceled talks with Iranian officials, urging protesters in a Truth Social post to continue and telling them, “HELP IS ON ITS WAY.”
Trump also told reporters Tuesday it was a “good idea” for Americans to evacuate Iran.
The Trump administration is weighing several options for intervening in Iran, including cyberattacks or strikes on Iranian government facilities, the Washington Post reported, citing a former U.S. official familiar with the plans.
At least two European allies were also asked on Monday to share intelligence with the U.S. on potential target sites in Iran, according to the Washington Post, citing unnamed officials from those countries, though the report did not say which ones.
Crucial Quote
“Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. “Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!”
Tangent
Trump, as of Monday, was reportedly leaning toward striking Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed U.S. officials.
Key Background
Protests broke out in Iran in late December amid a surge in inflation and near-collapse of the Iranian rial. The demonstrations, which have spread to all 31 provinces, have since become a broader uprising against the Iranian regime.
Further Reading
Trump Reportedly Leaning Toward Striking Iran (Forbes)
Trump Tells Iranian Protesters ‘Help Is On Its Way’—Cancels Meetings With Country’s Officials (Forbes)
Trump Says Any Country Doing Business With Iran Will Face 25% Tariff (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2026/01/14/trump-says-iran-currently-has-no-plans-for-executing-protesters-live-updates/
