Shashi Tharoor Reacts to Iran’s 800 Cancelled Executions and Trump’s “Board of Peace” for Gaza

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who also serves as the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, has expressed a cautious sense of optimism regarding the massive anti-government uprising in Iran.

Speaking at the Parliament premises during the ongoing Winter Session, Tharoor suggested that the region might finally be “turning a corner,” though he warned that the lack of clear data due to a massive internet blackout makes any assessment difficult.

Tharoor’s “gut feeling” is based on a few critical recent shifts in the geopolitical landscape:

• De-escalation Signals: He pointed to reports that Iranian authorities have cancelled the executions of over 800 detainees.
• Military Restraint: He noted US President Donald Trump’s statement about holding off on military strikes “for the moment.”
• Gulf Anxiety: Tharoor observed that neighboring Gulf countries are likely pushing for peace, fearing the economic and security consequences of a wider regional war.
• Information Vacuum: Despite his hopeful outlook, Tharoor cautioned, “We are not recipients of 100 per cent accurate information,” referring to the near-total internet blackout in Iran that has now exceeded 180 hours.¹

The Humanitarian Toll

The uprising, which began in late December 2025 over currency collapse and soaring inflation, has seen a brutal state response.²

Gaza “Board of Peace”

Tharoor also addressed the fragile situation in Gaza, criticizing the lack of Palestinian representation on the newly announced “Board of Peace.” The board, designed to supervise Gaza’s transitional governance, includes:

• Chairman: Donald Trump³
• Members: Marco Rubio (US Sec.⁴ of State), Tony Blair (Former UK PM), Jared Kushner, and Ajay Banga (World Bank President).⁵

Tharoor noted that while a ceasefire is technically in place, people are “still dying every day,” and the arrangement currently resembles a “colonial structure” rather than a sovereign peace.