Prosecutor-General of Iran Mohammad Movahedi Azad said that contrary to US President Donald Trump's earlier claim that he had stopped the executions of over 800 people in Iran, no such number existed and no such decision had been made by the Iranian judiciary, as reported by Iran International.
"I stopped 837 hangings on Thursday," Trump told the press on Friday morning. "And I said, 'If you hang those people, you're gonna be hit harder than you've ever been hit.'"
"An hour before this horrible thing was gonna take place, they cancelled it," Trump claimed.
Movahedi Azad fervently denied the president's claims and claimed that the Iranian judiciary is completely independent.
“The US president has said he stopped the execution of 800 people in Iran, but this is completely false,” Movahedi Azad was quoted as saying by Iranian state media. “The judiciary is an independent institution and does not take orders from foreigners."
Trump threatens Iran with strikes if protesters killed
The president had claimed that he threatened Iran with US airstrikes if the Islamic regime carried out executions of protesters and political dissidents as planned, and Tehran backed down as a result.
Trump also warned the Iranian regime that the US has "a massive armada" heading in their direction.
He also threatened that the administration would set a 25% tariff on anyone dealing with Iran. This will take effect "very soon," he warned.
'Decisive' military options against Iran
Trump on Wednesday was reportedly pressing aides for what he calls “decisive” military options against Iran after pulling back from strikes last week, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Discussions between several high-level officials unfolded as the United States repositioned assets, with the White House signaling that Trump could still approve strikes on Iran.
According to the WSJ, Trump has repeatedly used the word “decisive” to describe the effect he wants any US action to have. That phrasing has led aides to refine options ranging from limited strikes on IRGC targets to scenarios aimed at greater pressure, while the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has moved toward the Middle East.
Officials told the paper that Trump has not ordered strikes, and his decision remains unclear. The continued discussions come as Washington builds up forces in the region to widen potential strike options.
James Genn contributed to this report.