Washington/Tehran: The United States is reportedly preparing for possible military strikes against Iran, which has been gripped by violent protests for nearly two weeks. According to international news agencies including Reuters, US President Donald Trump is said to have decided to initiate military action within the next 24 hours. While the exact scale and intensity of any potential strikes remain unclear, reports suggest the rising death toll from the unrest has prompted Washington to consider direct action.
As tensions mount, the US has begun evacuating some personnel from key military installations across West Asia, including the strategically significant Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, located close to Iran. The US and its regional allies have also activated an air defence operations cell at the base as a precautionary measure.
Iran Shuts Airspace
In a significant move, Iran announced the closure of its airspace, allowing only flights with special permission to operate to and from the country. A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) was issued late on Wednesday night. Even before the formal announcement, flight-tracking websites showed Iranian and Iraqi airspace largely cleared of civilian aircraft.
The closure has disrupted international aviation, prompting Indian airlines to issue advisories to passengers. Air India said some flights were being diverted while others were cancelled due to the situation, urging passengers to check updates regularly. IndiGo also issued a similar advisory, stating that the airspace shutdown had affected certain international services and that flights were being operated via alternative routes as the situation continued to be reviewed.
Death Toll Rises, Crackdown Intensifies
Meanwhile, the death toll from the protests in Iran has climbed to 2,571, deepening fear and uncertainty across the country. Authorities are moving to fast-track investigations into detained protesters and impose stringent punishments. Iran’s Judiciary Chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, said action against protesters should be taken without delay, warning that any slowdown could weaken the impact of enforcement measures.
On Wednesday, Iran also held mass funerals for nearly 100 security personnel who were killed during the unrest.