U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he has been informed the killing of anti-government protesters in Iran has stopped and that planned executions would not go ahead, though details remain unclear.
“There were supposed to be a lot of executions today and that the executions won’t take place. We’re going to find out. I mean, I’ll find out after this. You’ll find out. But we’ve been told on good authority, and I hope it’s true. Who knows, right? Who knows? Crazy world,” he added.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday "there is no plan" by Iran to hang people, when asked about the anti-government protests in the Middle Eastern nation.
"There is no plan for hanging at all," the foreign minister told Fox News in an interview on the "Special Report with Bret Baier" show.
"Hanging is out of the question," he said.
According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights Society, hangings are common in Iranian prisons.
In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would take "very strong action" if Iran started hanging protesters, but did not elaborate on his comments. "If they hang them, you're going to see some things," Trump said.
Trump has been weighing a response to the situation in Iran which is seeing its biggest anti-government protests in years.
Iran had a 12-day war with U.S. ally Israel last year and its nuclear facilities were bombed by the U.S. military in June. Trump has been piling pressure on Iran's leaders, including threatening military action.
The protests posed one of the gravest tests of clerical rule in the country since the Islamic Revolution in 1979 as they evolved from complaints about dire economic hardships to defiant calls for the fall of the deeply entrenched clerical establishment.
The U.S.-based HRANA rights group said it had so far verified the deaths of 2,403 protesters and 147 government-affiliated individuals. HRANA reported 18,137 arrests so far.
Iran's government blames foreign sanctions for economic difficulties and alleges that its foreign enemies are interfering in domestic affairs.
The crisis has raised international concern, with Tehran warning it could strike U.S. bases if military action is taken, prompting the United States and the United Kingdom to withdraw some personnel from regional bases as a precaution.
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U.S. Central Command said 101 commercial vessels have been redirected in the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices rose more than three per cent amid fresh regional attacks and supply concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying Tehran will not negotiate until its conditions are met.
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said on Tuesday. Russia accused Denmark of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” near its ship, and said it was investigating the incident.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is outlining the EU's priorities in her annual State of the Union address, covering security, support for Ukraine, trade with China, migration, climate and artificial intelligence.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
Pakistan has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia at the United Nations, warning that escalating fighting in Yemen and increased activity around the Bab al-Mandab Strait threaten regional stability, global shipping and energy security.
Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty of war crimes, including murder, torture, cruel treatment and arbitrary detention.
Wednesday's session of the 24th Arab Media Summit in Dubai has shifted the discussion towards a central question for modern media: how can regional news organisations tell their own stories while reaching audiences far beyond their borders?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was carrying out tests on a new weapon to intercept drones and had recorded a successful hit overnight.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is outlining the EU's priorities in her annual State of the Union address, covering security, support for Ukraine, trade with China, migration, climate and artificial intelligence.
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