A US military strike on Iran is imminent, officials have warned as the Ayatollah claims a last minute “stop to executions”.
American and British military personnel have started withdrawing from key military bases across the Middle East as tensions escalate in the region.
Trump said he has been told by Iran no executions have taken place.
He said: “We’ll find out what that all means – but we’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping and it’s stopped, and there’s no plan for executions.”
The claim had “just” got to him, he said during a signing ceremony at the White House.
He added: “We were told no executions, I hope that’s true.”
The removal of UK military personnel, reported by the i newspaper, comes as the British Embassy in Tehran has closed.
A Government spokesperson said: “We have temporarily closed the British Embassy in Tehran, this will now operate remotely. Foreign Office travel advice has now been updated to reflect this consular change.”
A US official said troops were pulled out in a precautionary measure amid rising fears US bases will be targeted if Trump decides to strike Iran.
American, European and Israeli sources said preparations for military strikes were under way last night – and could come within hours after Trump vowed: “Help is on the way”.
The RAF’s operational headquarters in the Middle East is at Al Udeid, hosting around 80-100 permanent UK personnel.
It also houses the headquarters for Britain’s No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group, of around 1,000 personnel across the Middle East region.
Tensions in Tehran are rapidly escalating with Iran looking set to execute protesters.
Iran’s top judge hinted at fast trials and executions for those who were detained in nationwide protests against the regime.
Irans judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, hinted at fast trials and executions for those detained in protests against the regime despite a warning from Trump that he would retaliate with very strong action.
A human rights group says that at least 3,428 have been killed in the regime’s crackdown on demonstrators.
But horrified protesters told The Sun yesterday that they fear the slaughter figure could top 20,000 after heavy machine guns blasted into crowds leaving morgues piled with bodies.
Meanwhile the US embassy in Saudi Arabia told its staff act with caution and avoid military installations.
There are reports that President Trump is listening to the non-interventionists in his cabinet, as he says Thursday afternoon he's been told that the killing in Iran is stopping, and with no plan for executions. WTI futures immediately dropped on the newswires:
- WTI fell from USD 62.30 to lows of 59.80/bbl over 7 minutes.
- Brent fell from 66.80 to 64.20 over the same time frame.
- With Trump noting Iran has no plans for executions, it drastically reduces the chances of the US attacking Iran, particularly a kinetic attack.
- Expectations of an attack had been building today with reports suggesting it could happen within 24 hours, which saw crude gain throughout the session; several nations urged citizens to leave Iran.
- S&P 500 ENERGY INDEX PARES GAINS AFTER TRUMP IRAN COMMENTS
- Iran FM: There is calm, we are in full control, Fox News reports
President Donald Trump said he had been assured that Iran would stop killing protesters, in a signal he could hold off on a threatened military response to the repression of widespread demonstrations in the nation. “We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping - it’s stopped,” Trump told reporters Wednesday in the Oval Office. “And there’s no plan for executions or an execution.”
The US president said he would be “very upset” if the information proved untrue and the violent crackdown continued. The comments come after Trump urged Iranians to continue protests against the government of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said he would “act accordingly” after being briefed on how many demonstrators have been killed. He posted on social media that “help is on the way” to those protesting in Iran.
Dangerous indicators there was (before this 'change of mind') about to be a strike?
The bulk of the US Navy's strike group has remained in the Caribbean Sea after the Trump-ordered Venezuela operation to oust Maduro, and there's as yet nothing to signal a new build-up of naval power in the Mediterranean or anywhere in the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations. However there are signs that logistics transport flights have increased.
However, there are other signs President Trump might be serious about an attack on Iran. Various news sources including Reuters is reporting Wednesday that the United States is pulling some staff out of major regional bases as a precaution amid rising tensions related to the Iran protests and a potential US military response.
While the week started with talk of some kind of dialogue between Washington and Tehran toward de-escalation, Trump quickly changed his mind, and by Tuesday said he cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials, citing the brutal crackdown on protesters. He wrote on Truth Social that "help is on its way" for Iranians.
"Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price," Trump wrote.
"I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA [Make Iran Great Again]!!!" he added.
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