Washington (TDI): In a striking development amid ongoing unrest in Iran, US President Donald Trump said, on Wednesday, that he has been assured the killings of protesters in Iran have stopped, as Iranian authorities reopened their airspace after a temporary closure.
Trump said he was told by what he described as “important sources” that the deadly crackdown, which had drawn international condemnation, was no longer taking place.
He also suggested that planned executions of protesters would not move forward. The reopening of Iran’s skies comes after the airspace was briefly shut down amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington.
The temporary closure came as President Trump has been weighing a response to the situation in Iran, which is seeing its biggest anti government protests in years.
A US official said on Wednesday that some personnel were being withdrawn from Middle East bases after a senior Iranian official warned neighboring countries that Tehran could target American bases if Washington were to strike.
Meanwhile, missile and drone activity across conflict zones heightened risks to commercial flights, prompting the precautionary closure.
The temporary closure forced some airlines to reroute or delay flights before authorities lifted the restrictions later on Wednesday night, allowing commercial traffic to resume.
Read More: Trump Warns of Strong Response if Iran Executes Protesters
Still, the situation on the ground remains turbulent. Iran has been rocked by widespread protests sparked by deep-seated political and economic grievances, leading to thousands of deaths and mass arrests, according to human rights groups.
Iranian officials, however, claimed they were “in full control” of the situation and described a calm atmosphere after what they called three days of a “terrorist operation.”
At the same time, Tehran issued warnings about its readiness to respond to any US military action, as Washington reportedly reduced personnel at its Qatar base, a site Iran struck last year in retaliation for US attacks on its nuclear facilities.
While Trump’s remarks signal a potential easing of violence, independent verification remains difficult due to ongoing communication blackouts and limited access for foreign reporters.
Iranian officials have denied any intentions to carry out mass executions, with the country’s foreign minister insisting that no hangings are planned.
Both sides appear to be signaling a cautious reduction in rhetoric, even as risks of escalation, including possible US military options, continue to loom.
The brief closure of Iranian airspace underscored how volatile the situation had become. For several hours, flights were either diverted or delayed as airlines hesitated to enter Iranian skies amid fears of conflict. After authorities reopened the routes, commercial carriers gradually resumed normal operations.
Minahil Khurshid holds a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from CIPS, NUST. She has a strong interest in current affairs, geopolitics, and policy analysis.
