Trump: I've been told the killings in Iran are stopping

United States President Donald Trump said tonight that he has been told that killings in the Iranian authorities' crackdown on mass protests across the country are calming down, and that he believes there is currently no plan for mass executions, although tensions between Tehran and Washington remain high.

Asked who told him that the killings had stopped, Trump said it was "very important sources on the other side," Reuters reported.

Trump did not rule out the possibility of US military action, stating that he would "watch the process," and then added that the US administration had received "a very good statement" from Iran.

Trump's comments appeared to be an attempt to cautiously allay fears that the crisis in Iran could escalate into a wider regional conflict, Reuters writes.

In a television interview on Monday, Trump warned that the United States would take "very strong action" if Iranian authorities carried out executions of protesters they had detained during mass unrest.