Mike Baker

But now, Iranian officials are walking that back, supposedly.

State media claims that Soltani's execution has been called off.

Iran's foreign minister has publicly insisted that there are no plans to hang protesters today or tomorrow.

Oh, look.

Hey, we don't have any plans to hang protesters today or tomorrow.

Tehran says it's fully in control.

The regime appears to be adjusting its tactics in an effort to project calm authority after days of international scrutiny.

And, of course, an effort to say nothing to see here after killing thousands of protesters.

And, of course, an effort to go back to business as usual.

That shift in Tehran coincides with a noticeable change in tone from Washington.

President Trump, who had previously warned that executions of protesters could trigger serious consequences, has suggested that he's been told that killing may be easing.

Oh, he's also indicated that there's no current plan for large-scale executions.

That is a noticeable shift from telling the protesters on the streets that help is on its way.

Earlier statements from the White House drew a bright red line, of course.

The killing of protesters by the regime would not be tolerated, it was said.

Now, as Iran signals restraint, the sense of immediate escalation appears to be cooling.

Because, after all, why not believe whatever the mullahs in the Revolutionary Guard Corps say?

As if all of that wasn't indication enough, the security warning level at the U.S.

Al Udeid air base in Qatar has been lowered after a heightened alert was triggered on Wednesday.

That suggests that the chances of a strike against Iran are easing.