Trump diverts aircraft carrier to Iran after accusations he ‘swallowed’ rogue nation’s lies over executing protesters

DONALD Trump diverted an aircraft carrier towards Iran yesterday after being accused of swallowing lies peddled by the rogue nation’s evil mullahs. Iranian officials were said to have “played” Trump by stalling the executions of protesters until they launch a secret killing spree. The Middle East had been braced for US strikes on the Islamist regime after Trump promised brave protesters “help is on the way” after 17 days of bloody street strife. US forces were held back after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced late on Wednesday: “ There is no plan for hanging at all - hanging is out of the question .” Trump halted strike plans soon after, revealing he had accepted assurances that “killing in Iran is stopping”. But America’s unpredictable commander-in-chief appeared to be changing course again yesterday - as a US aircraft carrier was diverted towards the Middle East. READ MORE WORLD NEWS The powerful USS Abraham Lincoln was steaming to within striking distance to become the platform for action if the Iranians carry on killing. Satellite imagery showed the huge warship passing the Philippines after moving from the South China Sea. Trump halted widely anticipated military moves against Iran on Wednesday night as the rogue state’s leaders and military commanders scurried for cover. US intelligence chiefs are believed to have closely monitored the mullahs’ movements which will be factored into plans for any future attack. Most read in The US Sun Iranian sources warned yesterday that hundreds of prisoners among more than 18,000 believed to have been arrested were still in danger. An Iranian refugee in contact with protesters told The Sun: “The regime is buying time by lying to Trump and they will do what they want once he loses focus. “People are pleased that there have been no executions so far but that could change very quickly.” The number of executions in Iran, usually by gruesome public hangings, has doubled in the past year as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei cracked down following June’s 12-day war with Israel. Norwegian-based Iran Human Rights verified at least 1,500 executions up until the start of December, adding that many more have taken place since. In 2024, IHR verified 975 executions - although the exact number is unclear as Iranian authorities do not give official figures. The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 18,434 arrests during the protests across Iran in recent days with at least 2,600 people killed. But unofficial figures suggest a far higher toll of between 12-20,000 deaths. Those detained in secret jails and torture chambers include many university students and at least a dozen children aged between 15 and 17. But US officials appeared to accept pledges from the tyrannical regime that no one would be put to death. Those spared - for the time being - included shopkeeper Erfan Soltani, 26, who was reported to have been sentenced to death within two days of his arrest. Responding to reports that the regime will not execute him, Trump wrote on...

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