More than 2,500 people have died during nationwide protests in Iran over the past 17 days, activists said Wednesday.

Speaking by phone to NBC News, Trump didn't say whether he has decided to take action on Iran following previous threats of military intervention over a crackdown on protesters.

Reza Pahlavi told TIME that protesters in Iran are counting on the U.S. President to intervene as the regime kills demonstrators by the thousands.

The president's top national security advisers met Tuesday to consider action against Iran over its crackdown on protesters.

Several Middle Eastern allies of the United States have urged the Trump administration to hold off on strikes against Iran for the government's deadly crackdown on protesters, according to an Arab diplomat familiar with the matter.

US President Donald Trump indicated Wednesday that Iran has backed away from executing a detained Iranian protester for joining anti-government demonstrations after his case drew the attention of human rights activists and the US State Department.

By Phil Stewart, Parisa Hafezi and Andrew Mills WASHINGTON/DUBAI/DOHA, Jan 14 (Reuters) - The United States is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, a U.S. official said on Wednesday,

DNC Chair Ken Martin faces Republican backlash but support among Democrats after comparing Trump's America to Iran's theocracy amid Minneapolis ICE protests following fatal shooting.

Iranians say many protesters are pinning their hopes on President Donald Trump following through on his threats.