Washington(The COW News Digital)US President Donald Trump has expressed gratitude to the Iranian government for suspending the execution of detained protesters, stating that the move played a key role in his decision to delay military action against Iran. His remarks mark one of the clearest signals yet that Washington’s approach toward Tehran has been influenced by recent developments inside Iran.
Speaking to journalists outside the White House, President Trump was asked whether pressure from Arab states or Israeli officials had persuaded him to refrain from launching an immediate strike on Iran. In response, Trump rejected the suggestion, saying the decision was entirely his own.
“No one convinced me. I convinced myself,” Trump said, emphasizing that he acted independently rather than under external pressure.
According to international news agencies, Trump referred to reports that Iran had announced the execution of more than 800 detained protesters but later did not carry out the sentences. He said that once Tehran reversed course and halted the executions, he reconsidered his own plans for military action.
“When Iran canceled those executions, I also reviewed my decision,” the US president said, indicating a direct link between Iran’s internal actions and Washington’s military calculations.
The statement is being viewed as Trump’s most explicit acknowledgment so far that the prospect of large-scale executions in Iran had pushed the United States closer to a military response. Earlier this month, Trump had publicly warned Tehran that the killing of protesters would trigger US military action.
On Wednesday, Trump also claimed that Iranian officials had informed him that the killing of protesters had been stopped. The White House echoed this assertion, stating that the expected executions had been canceled.
However, some uncertainty remains surrounding the timeline. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had earlier said the executions were expected on Wednesday, while President Trump later referred to Thursday when discussing the suspension. The discrepancy has fueled questions about the exact sequence of events and the reliability of the information received by Washington.
Despite the ambiguity, analysts say Trump’s comments suggest a tactical pause rather than a permanent shift in US policy toward Iran. The president reiterated in previous statements that all options remain on the table and that US preparedness has not changed.
The developments come amid heightened tensions between the two countries, as Iran faces widespread protests and international scrutiny over its handling of dissent. For now, Trump’s remarks indicate that diplomatic signals and internal Iranian decisions are playing a role in shaping the White House’s next steps.
