Iran briefly restricted its airspace early Thursday morning, reopening it shortly after 7 AM local time and allowing commercial flights to resume normal operations. The short-lived restriction lasted just over four hours and affected domestic and international flights, prompting airlines to reroute planes around Iranian airspace.
The development coincided with statements from former President Donald Trump, who commented on reports that the Iranian government had stopped executing protesters during ongoing nationwide demonstrations. While Trump is no longer in office, his remarks drew international attention to the situation and underscored the global concern over Iran’s internal unrest.
Trump Comments on Iran Protests
During a press conference Wednesday, Trump said he had been told that killings of protesters had stopped and that planned executions were not occurring. “We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping, and it’s stopped and stopping, and there’s no plan for executions or an execution,” he told reporters.
Trump acknowledged the continued risk and said his administration was closely monitoring the situation. “We’re going to watch and see what the process is. But we were given a very good statement by people who are aware of what’s going on,” he said, indicating that the United States was evaluating its options carefully.
Activists Respond
Some anti-regime activists criticized Trump’s comments, accusing him of backing down from earlier threats to intervene if protesters were harmed. On social media platform X, one user wrote: “If you TACO now Trump then you have just thrown all those protesters under the bus #FreeIran.” (TACO stands for “Trump Always Chickens Out,” a term previously coined by traders.)
The Brief Airspace Restriction
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) temporarily restricting air traffic, effective for just over two hours. Flight radar data showed minimal aircraft over the country during this period, and international carriers adjusted routes to avoid Iranian airspace. The restriction coincided with reports that certain protesters, including 26-year-old shopkeeper Erfan Soltani, were at risk of execution, though Soltani’s family later confirmed his execution was postponed.
Wider Implications
The unrest in Iran has already claimed more than 2,500 lives, according to human rights reports. Iranian officials have threatened fast trials and executions for detained protesters while promising a “decisive response” to potential foreign interference. U.S. military personnel in nearby bases were advised to take precautions amid heightened tensions.
The brief airspace restriction and Trump’s cautious remarks underscore a delicate period in U.S.-Iran relations. While military options remain under consideration, current reports indicate that diplomacy, monitoring, and international pressure may be helping to prevent immediate escalation.
Looking Ahead
As Iran continues to manage internal unrest and the international community observes, the situation remains fluid. The reopening of airspace and indications of reduced executions offer a window for potential de-escalation, though uncertainty persists. Careful observation, clear communication, and strategic diplomacy will be critical in the coming days to avoid further conflict and safeguard civilians.
