Iran Suspends Nearly 800 Death Sentences After Trump’s Threats, White House Claims

Washington, January 16, 2026 — Iran has suspended the planned execution of nearly 800 death sentences following direct pressure and threats from former US President Donald Trump and his Middle Eastern allies, the White House claimed on Thursday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters during a briefing that the Iranian government halted the executions that were scheduled to take place on Wednesday. She said President Trump had been informed of the decision and described it as a result of strong diplomatic pressure from the United States and its allies in the Gulf region.
Leavitt stated that “all options remain on the table” to stop what she described as mass killings in Iran, adding that the Trump administration had directly conveyed its message to Iranian officials.
According to the White House, the Islamic Republic’s decision came amid mounting international scrutiny over its handling of recent protests. Demonstrations erupted in late December following a sharp currency collapse and rising living costs, later evolving into broader political unrest.
Human rights organization HRANA reported that at least 2,403 people have been killed and 18,434 arrested since the protests began. Amnesty International has described the crackdown as an unprecedented level of unlawful killings and has urged the United Nations to take immediate action.
The report was also covered by Israeli news outlet The Times of Israel. Iran has not yet officially responded to the White House’s claims.