Iran has grounded all flights over its territory as tensions with the United States escalate amid ongoing anti-government protests. The airspace closure was announced in the early hours of Thursday, January 15, 2024, while demonstrations continued to spread across the nation. According to flight-tracking service FlightRadar24.com, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued, restricting all flights except those approved for international travel to and from Iran. The NOTAM was valid for just over two hours.
Shortly before 04:00 local time, the real-time map from Flightradar24.com indicated that no aircraft were detected flying over Iran. The protests, which began in December 2023 due to economic struggles, quickly evolved into widespread calls for the overthrow of the ruling regime that has held power since 1979.
Protests and Human Rights Concerns
Reports indicate that demonstrators in cities including the capital, Tehran, have expressed their anger through graffiti and chants calling for the death of the 86-year-old supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Despite facing violent crackdowns from security forces, protesters have continued to take to the streets. Media outlets have published distressing images showing rows of body bags in morgues, underscoring the severe toll of the unrest.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the death toll from the protests has reached at least 2,571, with more than 18,100 individuals reported arrested. These figures are widely considered to be underreported, as the situation could worsen if the Iranian government carries out planned executions of protesters.
International Response and Escalating Tensions
The situation has drawn the attention of US President Donald Trump, who has cautioned Iran against employing force against demonstrators. Trump and Iranian officials have exchanged warnings throughout the unrest, further intensifying relations between the two nations.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that if Iran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the United States “will come to their rescue.” He emphasized that the US is “locked and loaded and ready to go,” although he did not specify what actions might be taken. Previously, Trump assured the Iranian people that “HELP IS ON ITS WAY.”
In a provocative response, Iranian state television aired footage of a 2024 assassination attempt on Trump, accompanied by the ominous caption: “This time, the bullet won’t miss.”
As protests continue and international scrutiny intensifies, the situation in Iran remains fluid, with significant implications for both domestic stability and international relations. The response from the US and other global actors will be closely watched as events unfold.
