Trump chooses sanctions over strikes, for now, against Iranian regime
There was widespread expectation of a US attack in the early hours of Thursday when Iran closed its airspace to all but a few select international flights destined for Tehran and the US withdrew some personnel from military bases in the region.
But Trump also softened his stance, saying the United States had received information from reliable sources that the killings had stopped and the executions of political prisoners would not take place.
Photos published by Vahid Online on January 14, 2026, allegedly show body bags in the Kahrizak Forensic Medicine Center in Tehran.
Iranian state media also quoted authorities as saying Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old protester arrested last week, was not sentenced to death and will not be executed.
Trump did not rule out military intervention but said he would see if his promises to stop killing protesters would come true.
Financial Times It has been reported that countries in the region such as Qatar, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have engaged in intense diplomatic efforts to deter Trump from striking Iran.
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“For now, things have calmed down,” an Arab official said Financial Times. “The United States is giving time to negotiate with Iran and see where they go from here,” he said.
In his video message, Bessent extended an olive branch to Iranian leaders, saying they “still have time” if they choose to “join us.”
“The US Treasury knows like rats on a sinking ship that you are frantically transferring funds stolen from Iranian families to banks and financial institutions around the world. Rest assured, we will follow them and you,” he said. “But you still have time if you choose to join us. Stop the violence and stand with the Iranian people.”
Some reports from Iran showed that protests had diminished, although information was difficult to verify due to internet and mobile phone blackouts and a ban on foreign journalists.
Wall StreetJournal He quoted two protesters in Tehran as saying the streets were calmer and there were fewer protests and police barricades.
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