US President Donald Trump announced that eight women protestors in Iran, who were facing execution, will no longer be killed. Trump expressed his 'appreciation' for Iran's decision, stating that four of the women will be released and the others will serve a month in jail. However, Iran denied the executions were planned, accusing Trump of spreading false news.
Trump's announcement came a day after he requested the release of the women, saying it would be a 'great start' to negotiations. An Iranian dissident identified some of the women as Golnaz Naraghi, Venus Hosseininejad, and Bita Hemmati. The Iranian judiciary called Trump's claims 'empty-handedness' and 'fabricating achievements from false news.'
Trump also extended a two-week Iran-US ceasefire but clarified that the naval blockade of Iranian ports continues. Hours later, Iran seized two container ships trying to leave the Gulf, but the US didn't view the seizure as a violation of the ceasefire.
