A cleric leading prayers in Iran's capital has demanded the death penalty for detained protesters, showing the hard-line rage gripping the Islamic Republic.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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,

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel asked the president to postpone any planned attack. Israeli and Arab officials fear Iran could retaliate by striking their countries.