Trump waters down rhetoric against Iran

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he has been told that killings in Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests were subsiding and that he believes there is currently no plan for large-scale executions, even as tensions between Tehran and Washington remain high.

Trump appeared to water down his rhetoric against the Iranian regime, which has been heavily criticized by the West for its brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Asked who told him that the killings stopped, Trump described them as "very important sources on the other side."

The president did not rule out potential US military action, saying "we are going to watch what the process is" before noting the US administration received a "very good statement" from Iran.

Trump's comments appeared meant to signal a cautious easing of fears that the crisis in Iran could escalate into a broader regional confrontation. In a televised interview on Monday, Trump had warned that the United States would take "very strong action" if Iran's authorities went ahead with executing protesters they had detained during widespread unrest.