Iran Closes Airspace Amid Heightened U.S. Tensions

Iran temporarily closed its airspace to commercial flights, escalating tensions with the U.S. amid protests. The closure affected major international flight routes, recalling past incidents, such as the 2020 downing of a Ukrainian flight. Both nations showed signs of shifting towards diplomacy as fears of further escalation loomed.

In an unexpected move, Iran closed its airspace to commercial traffic early Thursday, as tensions with the United States escalated over a violent crackdown on protests. The closure, lasting over four hours, disrupted a major East-West flight route, forcing international airlines to divert around Iranian airspace.

This isn't the first time Iran has closed its airspace amid regional conflicts. However, the move comes as a stark reminder of past incidents, including the 2020 accidental downing of a Ukrainian flight. The closure raised global aviation concerns as airlines faced heightened risks of misidentification.

Diplomatic tones from both the U.S. and Iran began to shift, suggesting a possible turn towards negotiation rather than confrontation. U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at undisclosed plans, while Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged for diplomacy. Meanwhile, the harsh crackdown on protests continued to draw international attention, with activists warning of severe repercussions for detainees.

(With inputs from agencies.)