Donald Trump Praises Iran After It Cancels More Than 800 Hangings

US President Donald Trump on Friday unexpectedly praised Iran for canceling the scheduled executions of more than 800 individuals, signaling a possible easing of tensions as nationwide protests appear to be fading.

Speaking to reporters on the White House South Lawn before leaving for his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump said he had “great respect” for the decision, describing it as having a “big impact.” His remarks came after days of warnings that the United States could consider military action if Iran intensified its crackdown.

Donald Trump Publicly Thanks Iran for Execution Halt

Trump’s comments marked a shift from his earlier hawkish tone.
“Iran has canceled the execution of over 800 people. They were going to hang more than 800 people yesterday, and I greatly appreciate that they canceled them,” he told reporters.

On his social media platform, Trump posted a brief message saying, “Thank you!” amid reports that many of those spared included political detainees.

Donald Trump Responds Cautiously on Possible US Action

When asked whether his earlier suggestion of US assistance — stating that “help is on the way” — was still applicable, Trump replied, “Well, we’ll see.”

He denied claims that foreign leaders or allies had influenced his stance, saying, “Nobody convinced me. I convinced myself.” However, Trump did not disclose the sources that confirmed the cancellation of executions, raising questions about the information behind his statements.

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Donald Trump Administration Keeps Options Open

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later said the administration was “closely monitoring the situation in Iran.” While welcoming the reported halt in executions, she warned that there would be “grave consequences” if they resumed.

“All options remain on the table for the President,” Leavitt said, reiterating Trump’s earlier warnings issued earlier in the week.

Earlier, Trump had said that reported protester deaths had stopped, prompting him to adopt a “wait and see” approach rather than immediate action.

Protests in Iran Triggered by Economic Crisis

The protests erupted on December 28 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar after the Iranian rial hit record lows. Demonstrations were fueled by worsening economic conditions, including water shortages, power outages, high unemployment, and soaring inflation.

The unrest quickly evolved into broader protests against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s rule. Iranian authorities responded with a strict crackdown, including a week-long internet shutdown.

Although public life in Tehran now appears largely normal, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported a death toll of 2,797 as of Friday, a figure that continues to rise. Iranian officials have not released official casualty numbers.

Donald Trump Reaction Draws Global Attention

India has advised its citizens in Iran to leave the country due to what it described as a “volatile security situation,” while assuring assistance and monitoring.

Meanwhile, Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urged Donald Trump to follow through on his statements, calling him “a man of his word” and appealing for continued US pressure.

Trump’s optimistic tone contrasts with reports of widespread casualties, highlighting the gap between official US assessments and accounts from rights groups on the ground.