Donald Trump said he was told by “very important sources on the other side” that Iran has stopped killing protesters and will not carry out executions. "They’ve said the killing has stopped and the executions won’t take place – there were supposed to be a lot of executions today and that the executions won’t take place – and we’re going to find out," Trump said at the White House. He added the US is yet to verify these claims. When asked if US military action is off the table, Trump replied, "We’re going to watch it and see what the process is." Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News that “hanging is out of the question” and there is no plan to execute protesters. Erfan Soltani, the first protester sentenced to death during the unrest, was expected to be executed Wednesday, but his family was informed the act has been postponed. The announcement comes amid earlier signs of rising tensions. Iran closed almost all its airspace early Thursday without explanation, forcing airlines like Lufthansa to reroute flights. US military bases in Qatar and Kuwait saw staff evacuations or restricted movements. The US embassy in Saudi Arabia also urged caution near military sites. A senior Iranian official warned Tehran would attack US bases in the region if the US strikes Iran. In June, Iran fired missiles at al-Udeid base in retaliation for a US attack on nuclear sites, but the strike was symbolic. The UK closed its embassy in Tehran, and Spain, Poland, and Italy asked citizens to leave Iran. However, Iran reopened its airspace hours later. Araghchi urged the US to choose diplomacy over war, saying, "Between war and diplomacy, diplomacy is a better way, although we don’t have any positive experience from the United States. But still diplomacy is much better than war." Following Trump's statements, oil prices dropped 3% amid eased fears of supply disruption. Gold and silver prices also declined. Trump expressed doubt about exiled opposition leader Reza Pahlavi’s ability to lead Iran, saying, "He seems very nice, but I don’t know how he’d play within his own country." The UN Security Council is set to meet Thursday for a briefing on Iran. G7 foreign ministers said they are ready to impose more restrictions on Iran for violence and repression against protesters.