Close
MyNorthwest
News
Opinion
Sports
Tools
Connect

NATIONAL NEWS

Trump takes the unusual step of thanking Iran for canceling executions of political prisoners

Jan 16, 2026, 10:24 AM

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP ...

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Associated Press's Profile Picture

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS


WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is thanking Iran for canceling the executions of more than 800 political prisoners.

On Friday, Trump told reporters about the decision while leaving for his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump had previously suggested the U.S. might strike Iran if mass killings occurred during widespread protests. The death toll from these protests remains high, but Trump hints U.S. military action is less likely now. The Republican president claims Iran has stopped killings and executions and says he “greatly” respects that.

This statement contrasts with the complex situation in Iran. Trump also stated that he convinced himself to step back from earlier threats of military action.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

National News

FILE - Trey Parker, left and Matt Stone, creators of the animated series "South Park," and the Broa...

Associated Press

‘South Park’ creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone ‘rename’ show to ‘South America’ in jab at Trump

The creators of the long-running and enthusiastically insolent TV show “South Park” aren’t known to be huge fans of President Donald Trump. However, they’ve decided to adopt one of his ideas — in a way. They’re changing — at least for the moment — the name of the hugely popular series, which just won the […]

1 hour ago

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at a Texas Democratic Party press conference ahead of the Republic...

Associated Press

Democrats say Trump’s ‘bizarre’ convention is a distraction from his faltering presidency

DALLAS (AP) — It’s not just Republicans descending on Dallas for the midterm convention — Democrats are there too as they try to convince voters that the reality of Donald Trump’s second presidency doesn’t match the spectacle of his made-for-TV event. “This bizarre Republican midterm convention here can’t paper over the fact that Republicans have […]

2 hours ago

In this photo taken with a smartphone, Steve Dakopolos demonstrates in front of the state Capitol i...

Associated Press

What to know about Missouri’s confusing battle over congressional districts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A national redistricting battle has left a scar on Missouri — and left voters befuddled — two months before a pivotal November election that will determine control of Congress and affect the fate of President Donald Trump’s agenda. After conflicting court rulings, many Missouri voters don’t know for certain which […]

2 hours ago

FILE - Pages from the Anthropic website and the company's logos are displayed on a computer screen ...

Associated Press

Anthropic researcher resigns with warning about the dangers of AI development

An Anthropic researcher said he is resigning from the company over concerns the artificial intelligence firm and its competitors are not acting responsibly in AI development, echoing concerns raised inside and outside of the industry about the technology’s potential to elude human control. Jacob Coxon, who said he spent three years doing research at both […]

2 hours ago

Miami Dade Fire Rescue officials inspect a damaged vehicle two days after an Amazon cargo plane ove...

Associated Press

Cleaning crew killed in Miami cargo jet crash was wrapping up shift at hard, demanding job

Five members of a crew killed when an Amazon cargo jet smashed into their van were wrapping up their eight-hour shift cleaning planes at the Miami airport when the crash happened, lawyers for one of the victims said on Wednesday. Two other workers in the van were in the hospital for days after their Econoline […]

3 hours ago

Chevron gas station prices are displayed in Las Vegas on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 (L.E. Baskow/Las V...

Associated Press

Trump says oil prices that spiked because of Iran war likely won’t come down until after midterms

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that oil prices that have surged because of the Iran war likely won’t come down until after US midterm elections. Oil prices jumped more than 3% today, pushing international Brent crude past the $100 threshold for the first time since July as salvos between the U.S. and […]

3 hours ago

Trump takes the unusual step of thanking Iran for canceling executions of political prisoners