Trump signals Iran pausing killings, with no immediate execution orders
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, January 14, that the “killing in Iran is stopping” and that the regime had “no plan for executions,” citing intelligence he said indicated an immediate de-escalation in Tehran’s crackdown on detained protesters.
The remarks came just one day after Trump warned of “very strong action” if Iranian authorities carried out executions tied to the nationwide unrest.
His comments signaled a potential pause in the regime’s use of capital punishment as demonstrations continued across the country.
Trump confirms 'the killing in Iran is stopping'
.@POTUS: "We were told that the killing in Iran is stopping... and there's no plans for executions — an execution or executions. I've been told that on good authority. We'll find out about it." pic.twitter.com/jhv1Mg31Kr
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 14, 2026
Trump delivered the update during an Oval Office bill signing tied to school nutrition policy. “We have been told that the killing in Iran is stopping, it has stopped, it’s stopping,” he told reporters.
He said the information came from a reliable source. “So, I’ve been told that on good authority. We’ll find out about it,” Trump added.
He cautioned that the situation remained fluid. “I’m sure if it happens, we’ll all be very upset.”
Planned execution of Erfan Soltani delayed
Erfan Soltani’s execution postponed amid ongoing concerns
— Hengaw Organization for Human Rights (@Hengaw_English) January 14, 2026
According to information obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights through relatives of Erfan Soltani, the execution order that had previously been communicated to his family and was scheduled to be carried out on… pic.twitter.com/pPybmOzX6u
The president addressed reports surrounding Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old protester detained less than a week ago. US officials and human rights groups had warned that Soltani could become the first demonstrator executed in the current unrest.
“They’re not going to have an execution, which a lot of people were talking about for the last couple of days,” Trump said. “Today was going to be the day of execution.”
Thousands dead in brutal crackdown
According to HRANA’s confirmed and verified data, at least 2,403 protesters have been confirmed killed, including 12 children. The verified figures also confirm 18,434 arrests, 1,134 cases of severe injury, and 97 instances of forced confessions being broadcast. Protests have… pic.twitter.com/fhKuZMrTy0
— HRANA English (@HRANA_English) January 13, 2026
Even with the reported reprieve, the scale of the crackdown remained severe. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimated that at least 2,400 protesters had been killed since the unrest began.
CBS News cited two sources who placed the death toll significantly higher, reporting that efforts to suppress demonstrations might have killed at least 12,000 people and possibly as many as 20,000.
Trump warns of 'very strong action'
.@POTUS: "We don't want to see what's happening in Iran happen. You know, if they want to have protests that's one thing. When they start killing thousands of people, and now you're telling me about hanging, well we'll see how that works out for them." pic.twitter.com/q86alesLVb
— Department of State (@StateDept) January 14, 2026
Trump’s update followed days of escalating rhetoric. In a Tuesday interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil, the president warned of “very strong actions” if Tehran moved forward with executions.
Administration officials said Trump retained a wide range of options, including military and cyber measures. Publicly, the president had framed his message to Iranians more simply, saying that “help is on its way.”
