Trump asks Iran to release 8 women allegedly facing execution, calls it ‘great start’ to negotiations

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday appealed directly to Iranian leaders to release eight women he said were facing execution, framing the move as a goodwill gesture ahead of a new round of negotiations.

"I would greatly appreciate the release of these women," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, sharing a news report claiming Iran was preparing to hang eight women. "Please do them no harm! Would be a great start to our negotiations!!!"

Iran did not immediately respond to the appeal or confirm the reported execution plans.

The post comes as Washington and Tehran are expected to resume negotiations in Islamabad. US Vice President JD Vance, alongside envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is set to travel to Pakistan for a second round of talks, though Iran has not officially confirmed its participation, having demanded the lifting of the US naval blockade as a precondition.

The two-week ceasefire, which Trump said ends Wednesday evening Washington time, has been described by the president as having been violated "numerous times" by Iran. He said extending it was "highly unlikely" if no deal is reached beforehand.