Report: Trump Told Iran He Will Not Attack

Iranian officials have revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump conveyed a message to Tehran indicating no plans for a military strike against the Islamic Republic, amid ongoing anti-regime protests that have claimed thousands of lives. This disclosure, reported by Al Jazeera and Pakistani media, marks a potential de-escalation after weeks of heightened rhetoric from the White House.

At the same time, reports indicate the Pentagon is repositioning troops back to previously evacuated bases, signaling a possible stand-down.

According to Pakistani outlet Dawn, the message was received around 1:00 AM Pakistan time on Wednesday, urging Iran to exercise restraint and avoid targeting U.S. interests in the region.

Moghadam added that protesters have a legitimate right to demonstrate, and the government has engaged in talks with them, while accusing armed groups of committing murders and attacking mosques amid the unrest.

This comes after Trump's earlier threats, including a post urging Iranians to "KEEP PROTESTING" and promising "help is on its way," which many interpreted as potential military intervention.

However, during a White House event on Wednesday signing a new school milk law, Trump claimed the "killing has stopped" and no executions are planned, citing assurances from "very important sources."

He specifically mentioned the cancellation of the death sentence for Erfan Soltani, the first protester condemned in the mass demonstrations.

Israeli assessments initially viewed Trump's statements as a tactic to "lull the Iranians," but the reported message suggests he may have genuinely backed off.

n parallel, The New York Times reported that the Pentagon has begun returning forces to U.S. bases in the region that were evacuated amid tensions.

Long-range bomber operations have been suspended, and preparations are underway to redeploy soldiers to their home units, described by military sources as a "ramp down" from escalation.

Strategic bomber readiness halted on Wednesday afternoon, following Trump's remarks.

Britain has also started withdrawing some military personnel from a base in Qatar, though the UK Ministry of Defence declined to comment.

These moves follow regional allies like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar opposing U.S. use of their bases for strikes against Iran.

(Infographic mapping U.S. troops and military bases in the Middle East.)Broader Context and ReactionsThe protests, entering their third month, have posed the biggest challenge to Iran's regime in years, with death toll estimates ranging from 3,000 to over 12,000.

Trump's shift has sparked debate: some see it as genuine de-escalation, others as a strategic pause.

Critics argue repeated red lines without action undermine U.S. credibility.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi echoed no execution plans in a Fox News interview, aligning with Trump's claims.

Meanwhile, backchannel communications, including via Russia, indicate efforts to avoid miscalculation.

As of January 15, 2026, the White House has not officially confirmed the message, leaving the situation fluid amid global scrutiny