Trump says he was told killings in Iran have stopped, as US weighs next steps

WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that a “credible source” has told him killings tied to Iran’s ongoing crackdown on protesters have stopped, raising cautious questions about whether Tehran may be attempting to ease tensions after days of escalating violence and threats.

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said executions that were reportedly scheduled for demonstrators earlier in the day did not take place, though he stressed the information has not yet been independently confirmed. “We’ll find out,” the president said, adding that time would tell whether Iran’s actions match its words.

The statement comes amid a volatile standoff between Washington and Tehran, fueled by Iran’s sweeping crackdown on nationwide protests driven by a worsening economic crisis and public anger toward the ruling regime. Iranian authorities have imposed widespread communication blackouts in an effort to suppress information, making it difficult to verify casualty figures.

While Iranian officials have acknowledged hundreds of deaths, multiple sources now tell CBS News the toll could be far higher. Those sources estimate at least 12,000 people may have been killed — with some suggesting the number could reach 20,000 — though those figures have not been independently verified. Phone lines inside Iran have recently begun reopening, allowing limited new accounts to emerge.

Any apparent de-escalation was undercut earlier Wednesday when Iranian state television aired an image referencing the 2024 assassination attempt on Trump, accompanied by the caption: “This time it will not miss the target.” The broadcast drew swift condemnation and further heightened concerns about Iran’s intentions.

Despite the president’s comments suggesting the violence may have slowed, Trump has not ruled out military action. “All options remain on the table,” administration officials reiterated, as the U.S. continues to monitor developments closely.

As part of precautionary measures, the U.S. has begun evacuating personnel from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — the largest American military base in the Middle East. The base was previously targeted by Iran in June following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, underscoring its strategic vulnerability.

At the same time, regional powers are pushing for diplomacy. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman are actively engaged in efforts to reduce tensions, warning that a U.S. military strike could have unintended consequences. Arab leaders caution that direct action may unify Iranians across political divisions, strengthening the regime at a moment when it faces unprecedented internal pressure.

For now, U.S. officials describe the situation as fluid, with Washington balancing diplomatic outreach, military readiness and mounting concern over the humanitarian toll inside Iran — all while awaiting confirmation of whether Tehran’s violence has truly paused or is merely shifting out of sight.