As global attention stayed fixed on rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, something unexpected happened early Thursday morning: Iran quietly reopened its airspace.
The move followed a brief closure that lasted just over four hours and came as Donald Trump appeared to soften his tone on possible military action against Iran.
By shortly after 7 a.m. local time, domestic flights were already back in the air, signaling a cautious return to normalcy—at least for now.
Trump Signals Caution While Keeping Options Open
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump struck a noticeably careful tone when asked about Iran’s violent crackdown on protesters.
He told reporters he had been informed that executions had stopped, framing it as a positive development.
“We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping, and it’s stopped and stopping,” Trump said, adding that there were “no plans for executions.”
The comments stood in contrast to his earlier warnings that the U.S. would act decisively if protesters were harmed.
While he offered no concrete evidence or details, the president’s remarks suggested that internal voices urging restraint may be gaining influence.
Protesters and Activists Cry Betrayal
Not everyone was reassured.
Anti-regime activists reacted angrily online, accusing Trump of backing away from earlier promises to protect Iranian protesters.
On X, critics claimed his latest remarks handed Tehran an escape route at a critical moment.
One widely shared post accused him of abandoning demonstrators, using the acronym “TACO”—short for “Trump Always Chickens Out,” a jab coined by Wall Street traders last year over his shifting tariff positions.
For activists watching events unfold from abroad, Trump’s measured language felt like a retreat, especially after days of tough talk and warnings of “strong action” if executions went ahead.
Airspace Closure Reflects Heightened Tensions
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization had earlier issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), temporarily shutting down the country’s airspace to most flights except approved international arrivals and departures.
Flight-tracking data showed aircraft quickly rerouting north and south to avoid Iranian skies.
The closure, which was extended once before expiring, came amid fears of potential U.S. strikes and growing unrest inside Iran.
FlightRadar24 confirmed the shutdown lasted just over two hours, though its symbolism carried far more weight.
A Young Shopkeeper at the Center of Global Anxiety
Fueling those fears was news that a 26-year-old clothing shop worker, Erfan Soltani, was expected to become the first protester executed during the crackdown.
His case drew international attention and deepened concerns about Iran’s next steps.
Later Wednesday, Soltani’s family confirmed he had not been executed.
A close relative, Somayeh, speaking from abroad, said the family had been told the execution was scheduled but postponed once they arrived at the prison in Karaj, northwest of Tehran.
After days of agonizing uncertainty, the delay brought only partial relief.
“Now we’re just left not knowing what comes next,” she said.
Inside the White House: Weighing Diplomacy Against Force
Behind the scenes, Trump has been consulting closely with his national security team.
On Tuesday, he met advisers after describing the killings in Iran as “significant.”
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and senior National Security Council officials have reportedly been working since last Friday on a range of options—from diplomatic pressure to possible military strikes.
Despite his softer public tone, Trump made it clear he hasn’t ruled anything out.
“We’re going to watch and see what the process is,” he said, emphasizing that his administration is closely monitoring developments.
Iran Escalates Its Own Rhetoric
Meanwhile, Iranian officials have doubled down.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that at least 2,586 people have been killed during the security force crackdown.
Iran’s leadership has warned that detainees could face rapid trials and executions, while also threatening a “decisive response” if the U.S. or Israel intervenes.
Those warnings coincided with reports that some personnel at a major U.S. military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate.
Revolutionary Guard commander Mohammad Pakpour accused the U.S. and Israel of orchestrating the protests, claiming—without evidence—that they were responsible for the bloodshed.
He warned that those countries would face consequences “at the appropriate time.”
A Stark Challenge From Iran’s Judiciary
Adding to the pressure, Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, openly called for swift punishment of the estimated 18,000 people detained during the protests.
In a video shared by state media, he argued that delayed justice would weaken its impact.
“If we want to do something, we have to do it quickly,” he said, pushing for rapid trials and executions.
What Comes Next?
With Iran reopening its airspace and Trump striking a more cautious public tone, the immediate risk of escalation appears to have eased.
Still, the underlying tensions remain unresolved.
Protesters continue to face deadly force, activists feel abandoned, and both sides are signaling that all options remain on the table.
For now, the skies over Iran are open again—but politically, the situation is anything but clear.
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