Iran Unrest Fades & Trump Shifts Tone

As Iran's street unrest appeared to subside and daily life in Tehran returned closer to normal, President Donald Trump on Friday struck a notably softer tone, publicly thanking Iranian authorities for what he said was a decision to halt mass executions and suggesting the United States may be stepping back from earlier hints of military action

- Agencies

“We've been told that the Killing in Iran is stopping, and there's no plan for executions... I've been told that on good authority... And I greatly respect the fact that they cancelled,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

Trump echoed the claim on his social media platform, posting that more than 800 people had been set to be executed but now would not be. “Thank you!” he wrote.

His remarks followed several days in which he repeatedly suggested the U.S. might respond militarily if Iran's government used severe measures to crush protests that had turned violent. The shift in tone added to the impression that the threat of imminent American intervention was easing.

Trump had previously written in support of protesters, “Help is on the way.” Asked Friday whether that message still applied, he answered, “Well, we're going to see.”