India, April 23 -- Donald Trump has claimed that eight Iranian women protesters were spared execution following his intervention, a statement that drew pushback from Iranian officials.Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Very good news! I have just been informed that the eight women protestors who were going to be executed tonight in Iran will no longer be killed."

He added that four would be released immediately while four others would receive one-month prison sentences, thanking Iran's leadership for respecting his request.

The US president had earlier appealed to Iranian authorities, writing: "I would greatly appreciate the release of these women. Please do them no harm! Would be a great start to our negotiations!!!"

Iranian officials and ...