HORRIFIED Iranians have revealed the haunting reason why the Ayatollah’s deadly crackdown on protesters has stopped.
Weeks of demonstrations against the mullahs’ regime have left thousands dead – and Washington is reportedly now set to deploy additional US forces to the Middle East.
Iranians protesting the Islamic Republic are now so fearful of being killed that many no longer dare to step outside, sources told the New York Post.
Many citizens are even being held hostage in their own homes at gunpoint by rifle-wielding Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) troops, reports say.
Describing the brutal scenes of repression playing out on the streets of Iran, one source said: “There were tanks out – there’s tanks everywhere.
“There’s trucks that are covered, with 10 people inside with machine guns just aiming them at everyone on the street.”
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One Tehran local told how fear had gripped the capital – as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s security forces patrol the roads and carry out traffic stops.
The only reason some sense of calm has returned to Tehran as of Friday is because the mass killing of at least 2,600 protesters has left many paralysed by fear, the source said.
Although the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported 2,600 deaths, the real toll is expected to rise, potentially to 12,000.
The local explained: “There are no protests anymore because of massive killings.
“With 12,000 dead, people are terrified.”
Another local called on Donald Trump to follow through on threats of military action.
They said: “We are waiting for Trump’s action, he promised to support Iranian protesters if the regime killed them!
“It is the time to attack this brutal regime!”
The Pentagon is preparing to send more US forces and assets to the Middle East, NBC News reported.
The deployment includes a carrier strike group, additional aircraft and land-based air defence systems, US officials told the outlet.
They will help bolster US forces already in the region while the Don weighs up his options on whether to intervene in Iran or not.
The powerful USS Abraham Lincoln was diverted to the region on Thursday – within striking distance and seemingly to become the platform for action if Tehran keeps up the killing.
Several Middle East allies have reportedly begged Trump not to strike Iran over fears military action will plunge the volatile region into further turmoil.
Top officials from Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have all pleaded with the US president over last 24 hours, according to a top Arab diplomat.
It comes after Trump said that sources had told him the killings in Iran had stopped and that the mullahs’ regime would be postponing executions.
He had previously urged locals to continue their protests and topple the government – offering his support and saying: “Help is on its way.”
US forces were held back after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced 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”.
Although he has toned down his rhetoric on coming to the rescue, the White House has warned of “grave consequences” if the killing goes on.
The Ayatollah has enforced a total internet blackout across the country which has lasted more than two weeks.
US intelligence chiefs are believed to have closely monitored the mullahs’ movements which will be factored into plans for any future attack.
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.
Those detained in secret jails and torture chambers following the protests which broke out on December 28 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 Truth Social: “This is good news. Hopefully, it will continue!”
Erfan was arrested last in Fardis, west of capital Tehran and was scheduled to be executed on Wednesday for “propaganda activities,” state media said.