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U.S. President Donald Trump said he had been firmly informed that plans to carry out executions in Iran had been halted. He had repeatedly warned that if Iran executed anti-government protesters, he would take “strong measures.” As reports emerged that the U.S. military had begun withdrawing some personnel from its base in Qatar, heightening the possibility of “launching a military operation within 24 hours,” the mood reversed abruptly following sudden remarks by the President.

At a signing ceremony at the White House on the 14th (local time), Trump said, “I heard that killings (of protesters) in Iran had been halted,” and added, “We received information that execution plans scheduled for today had also been suspended.” When asked by reporters who had conveyed the news, he said it was from “a reliable source,” “a very important source on the other side,” adding, “I hope the news is true.” Asked whether military options were being ruled out, he said, “We will watch how it unfolds,” and, “But we received very good news from people who know well what is happening (in Iran).”

All the while, Trump had raised issues with the bloody crackdown and capital punishment imposed on the Iranian protesters, suggesting that this could provide grounds for military intervention against Iran. In an interview with CBS Evening News the previous night, he said that if the Iranian government carried out executions of anti-government protesters, “very strong measures” would be taken, and that “a great deal of support” would soon be provided for the Iranian people. When asked by the anchor what his ultimate objective regarding Iran was, he replied, “The ultimate objective is victory. I like victory,” citing, as an example, an operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

In fact, foreign media including the New York Times reported that day that the U.S. military had begun withdrawing some personnel from the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, offering the view that a military operation was imminent. The Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the site that Iran struck with missiles in retaliation when the United States attacked three Iranian nuclear facilities in June last year. Serving as the regional headquarters for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), it hosts about 10,000 U.S. troops.

On the same day, Ali Shamkhani, a senior official and adviser to the supreme leader of Iran, said on social media, “When the U.S. president mentions the failed attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, he should also mention the Iranian missiles that struck the Al Udeid base,” making clear that Iran would again retaliate. A European official told Reuters, “The possibility of U.S. military intervention is high,” adding that “intervention could occur within 24 hours.”

Amid such concerns, at one point during the session, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) jumped as much as 2% from the previous close. However, after the President hinted at the possibility of no military intervention by saying that “killings (of protesters) in Iran had been halted,” oil prices fell more than 3% from the intraday high.