Iran Protests: Early Thursday, Iran has closed its airspace without explanation to commercial flights.
In another development, United States President Donald Trump has softened his stance on attacks against the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei regime. Trump added that he would follow a wait and watch policy over the Islamic Republic’s crackdown on protests. The US President commented that he had received assurances from very reliable sources on the Iranian side that Tehran would not go ahead with executions of protestors. When asked if any action by the US military was off the table as of now, Trump said we would see what would happen next.
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Later, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said there would be no hanging of protestors today or tomorrow.
Iran Protests-Latest Turn of Events
According to several media reports, the Khamenei regime has brought in Iraqi Shia militias to bring an abrupt end to the nationwide protests. Experts and reports suggest that around 800-850 Arabic-speaking fighters have crossed from Iraq to Iran as pilgrims. This was after reports that the IRCG and Basij forces of Ayatollah refused to fire at their own people.
On December 28, protests in Iran started on a low scale by Tehran shop owners over inflation and the falling value of the Iranian Rial. Soon, the protests transformed into full-blown movement against the regime of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Arrests And Deaths Of Protestors
According to several media reports, more than 20,000 protestors have been arrested so far and more than 3,100 people have been killed. Some media reports have suggested that the actual number of deaths may be more than 12,000.
Iranian officials have signalled fast trial plans for arrested protestors. Meanwhile, Trump has assured protestors that help is on its way for Iranian protestors and they should not stop their protests anytime.
In another development, US Senator Lindsey Graham met with the exiled crown prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi. In a post on X, Graham remarked it would be up to the Iranian citizens to finalize who they pick as their next leader.
