The White House says Iran halted about 800 planned executions after a warning from President Donald Trump, as protests and international pressure continue to mount against Tehran.
Speaking on Thursday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the executions, scheduled for Wednesday, were stopped following U.S. intervention.
U.S. warning
Leavitt said President Trump had received a message indicating that the killings and executions would stop, warning that continued violence would carry “grave consequences”.
She added that the president and his team are closely monitoring developments, stressing that “all options remain on the table.”
Regional and diplomatic context
The White House also confirmed communication between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following reports that Netanyahu advised caution over immediate military action against Iran.
U.S. officials did not disclose details of the discussions but said diplomatic and security channels remain active.
Opposition reaction
Meanwhile, Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi said the Islamic Republic’s violent response to protests could signal a weakening leadership.
In an interview with The Economist, Pahlavi described the crackdown as a “last-gasp effort to intimidate” amid growing public resistance.
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