Iran issued a sudden order early Thursday to shut down its airspace which led to fresh alarm across the region already tense over the government's harsh crackdown on nationwide protests. The authorities did not offer any explanation for the temporary closure, which unfolded at a time when fears of potential US strikes have been rising. According to the flight-tracking platform FlightRadar24.com, Iran's airspace remained closed for slightly more than two hours.
Iranian officials signalled on Wednesday that fast trials and executions lay ahead for suspects detained in nationwide protests, while the Islamic Republic promised retaliation if the US or Israel intervenes in the domestic unrest. The threats emerged as some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate, even as President Donald Trump made a series of vague statements in a span of 24 hours that left unclear what American action, if any, would take place against Iran. The Islamic Republic shut its airspace to commercial flights early Thursday morning for several hours, without explanation, a notice to pilots read.
Trump claims killings have stopped
In comments to reporters, the Republican President said he had been told that plans for executions in Iran have stopped, without providing many details. The shift comes a day after Trump told protesters in Iran that “help is on the way” and that his administration would “act accordingly” to respond to the Islamic Republic's deadly crackdown.
“We've been told that the killing in Iran is stopping -- it's stopped -- it's stopping,” Trump said at the White House while signing executive orders and legislation." And there's no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions -- so I have been told that on good authority," he added. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also sought to tone down the rhetoric, urging the US to find a solution through negotiation.
Death toll continues to rise
The Human Rights Activists News Agency said 2,615 of the dead were protesters and 153 were government-affiliated. Thirteen children were killed, along with 14 civilians it said were not taking part in protests. More than 18,400 people have been detained, the group said. Gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult, and the AP has been unable to independently assess the toll given the communications being disrupted in the country.
