Iran Extends Airspace Closure as Protest Death Toll Rises Amid US Tensions

Iran has extended its order shutting down airspace to commercial flights as nationwide protests intensify and tensions with the United States continue to escalate. The decision comes amid mounting reports of civilian deaths, mass arrests, and growing international alarm over Tehran’s response to the unrest.

According to aviation advisories, Iran prolonged restrictions on civilian air traffic without offering an official explanation. The move follows a brief nationwide closure that halted most flights except a limited number of approved international operations. Flight-tracking data showed Iranian skies largely empty during the shutdown, underscoring the seriousness of the security situation.

The airspace decision coincides with one of the most severe internal crises Iran has faced in decades. Protests that erupted more than two weeks ago over economic hardship, inflation, and the collapse of the national currency have evolved into direct opposition to the ruling clerical establishment. Demonstrations have spread across the country, with chants openly targeting the leadership of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Human rights groups report a rapidly rising death toll. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights organisation said at least 3,428 protesters have been killed during the crackdown, with more than 10,000 detained. The group warned that Iran’s judiciary is now threatening mass executions, raising fears of an even harsher phase of repression. Iranian state television has indirectly acknowledged the scale of violence, referring to those killed as “martyrs”.

Communications inside Iran have remained heavily restricted. For the first time in several days, some Iranians were briefly able to make phone calls abroad after authorities partially eased the near-total shutdown imposed earlier this month. Activists say the blackout was aimed at preventing images and details of the crackdown from reaching the outside world.

Meanwhile, the geopolitical fallout has intensified. The United States has reportedly repositioned military assets in the Middle East, while Iran has issued warnings to neighbouring countries hosting American forces. US President Donald Trump has urged Iranians to continue protesting and warned Tehran of consequences if executions or mass killings continue. However, Iranian officials have accused Washington of using the unrest as a pretext for possible military intervention.

Concerns for foreign nationals have also grown. The US virtual embassy in Tehran advised American citizens to consider leaving Iran by land through neighbouring countries such as Türkiye or Armenia. In India, parents of Kashmiri students studying in Iran have appealed to the government to arrange evacuations, citing fear for their children’s safety.

The crisis has begun to ripple across global sectors. Airlines including Air India have started diverting flights to avoid Iranian airspace, warning passengers of delays and cancellations. Shipping companies have also moved vessels farther offshore near Iranian ports as a precaution against potential escalation.

Inside Iran, authorities continue to deny the scale of the casualties reported by rights groups, claiming the figures are exaggerated and blaming violence on what they describe as foreign-backed “terrorist elements”. However, the scale, spread, and persistence of the protests suggest deep-rooted public anger that shows little sign of subsiding.

As Iran tightens control at home and shuts its skies to the outside world, diplomatic observers warn that the combination of internal unrest, military signalling, and international pressure has pushed the country into an increasingly volatile and unpredictable phase.