President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Iranian leaders had "terminated the planned execution" of eight women protesters.
Trump announced what he called "very good news," saying four of the women would be released immediately while the remaining four would instead face one month in prison.
"I very much appreciate that Iran, and its leaders, respected my request, as President of the United States, and terminated the planned execution," Trump wrote on Truth Social, thanking Tehran for responding to his appeal.
The development came just one day after Trump publicly urged Iranian leaders to show restraint and release the women, framing it as a potential goodwill gesture ahead of possible negotiations between the two countries.
"I would greatly appreciate the release of these women," Trump wrote Tuesday on Truth Social. "Please do them no harm! Would be a great start to our negotiations."
The reported reversal marks a potential diplomatic opening as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high but show signs of easing.
Sources told the New York Post that renewed talks could happen as soon as Friday, with mediation efforts underway and a possible second round of negotiations emerging in the coming days.
However, Iranian officials had pushed back on the women's plights.
The country's judiciary denied that the eight women were facing imminent execution, claiming reports to that effect were exaggerated or inaccurate, AFP reported according to The Times of Israel.
Authorities said some of the detainees had already been released, while others faced charges that could lead to prison time rather than capital punishment.
Rights groups have painted a more troubling picture, alleging that at least one of the women arrested during recent protests had been sentenced to death, while others faced serious charges tied to Iran's crackdown on dissent.
Activists have also claimed the women were detained in connection with protests earlier this year that were met with harsh government responses.
Despite conflicting accounts, Trump's announcement was seen by supporters as evidence that firm U.S. leadership can yield results on the international stage.
The broader context includes ongoing diplomatic maneuvering between the U.S. and Iran.
Trump extended a ceasefire and signaled openness to negotiations while maintaining pressure through military readiness and economic measures.
Analysts say the situation remains fluid, with internal divisions within Iran's leadership complicating efforts to reach a unified negotiating position.
Still, the apparent shift in the fate of the detained women could serve as an early sign of movement toward de-escalation.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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