Trump softens Iran strike threats as protest crackdown eases
President Donald Trump signaled a cautious de-escalation in the standoff with Iran on Wednesday, telling Oval Office reporters that "very important sources on the other side" informed him the killing of anti-government protesters has stopped, with no large-scale executions planned. The remarks follow Iran's reopening of its airspace Thursday morning after a brief closure, alongside US precautions to withdraw select personnel from Middle East military bases.
Trump's statement softens his prior vows of "very strong action" if Iran executed detained protesters. While not ruling out military intervention entirely "we'll monitor and see how things develop" his measured tone aims to ease fears of a broader regional clash. Global markets responded swiftly: Brent crude plunged over 4% to around $63.69 per barrel from multi-month highs above $66 earlier in the week, with West Texas Intermediate sliding toward $60 after five straight gain days driven by supply disruption worries. Gold retreated from its record $4,642.72 per ounce to about $4,590 as investors unwound safe-haven bets, while Asian tech stocks faced selling pressure the Nikkei 225 dipped 0.9% from its peak, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1% amid a broader tech pullback.
Regional allies urged restraint behind closed doors. Israeli and Arab officials pressed the Trump administration to delay strikes, warning per NBC News that Iran may not yet be weakened enough for decisive impact and that foreign intervention could rally Iranians against a common foe. Israelis suggested alternatives like aiding communication bypasses around blackouts, tougher economic sanctions, and cyberattacks; Saudi Arabia reportedly told Tehran it would not permit use of its airspace for potential US strikes.
The protests, ignited late December by Iran's economic woes, evolved into regime-change demands. US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 2,571 deaths in the crackdown, including over 2,400 protesters, 147 government affiliates, and several children. Iranian officials blamed the US and Israel for fomenting the unrest, labeling it the work of foreign-directed "terrorists." Tensions linger despite Trump's pivot: Iran briefly shut airspace Wednesday evening before reopening, the Pentagon advised some Al Udeid Air Base staff in Qatar the US's largest Middle East facility to depart, and Tehran warned all regional American bases as potential retaliation targets if strikes occur.
Swissquote Bank senior analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya noted short-term oil price volatility will likely persist amid Iran uncertainties, but geopolitically fueled spikes should prove fleeting.
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