Iran has taken the decisive step of closing its airspace, a move that comes on the heels of U.S. President Donald Trump seemingly easing his rhetoric against Tehran. The closure was announced by Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization via a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), which restricts the airspace to all flights except for authorized international arrivals or departures.

Issued at 5:19 PM EST, the directive is set to remain in effect for over two hours. As the notice came into play, flight tracking data revealed a marked decrease in aircraft traversing Iranian skies, underscoring the immediate impact of the restriction.

This development coincides with President Trump’s notably moderated tone during an Oval Office press conference on Wednesday. His softened stance suggests a potential influence from pragmatic voices within his administration, who may have successfully argued that a military response could be fraught with risk.

During the briefing, Trump asserted that reports from Iran indicate a cessation of killings and planned executions. “We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping, and it’s stopped and stopping, and there’s no plan for executions or an execution,” he informed the press.

Nonetheless, Trump did not entirely rule out military action, implying that the possibility remains on the table. He emphasized that his administration is keeping a vigilant eye on the situation, particularly the violent suppression of protests that has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 2,500 demonstrators.

Despite appearing to retreat from his earlier red line, Trump signaled he could still order strikes against the ayatollah’s regime, saying his administration was closely monitoring the bloody crackdown which has left at least 2,500 protesters dead. 

‘We’re going to watch and see what the process is. But we were given a very good, very good statement by people that are, aware of what’s going on,’ Trump added when pressed on if he would use military action on the Middle Eastern rival.

He was hit by immediate backlash by anti-regime activists on X who accused Trump of reneging on his earlier promises to take military action if protesters were harmed.

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) closing its airspace to all aircraft except permitted international arrivals or departures. The notice issued at 5.19pm EST is effective for more than two hours. Flight radar data showed very few aircraft over Iran as the order went into effect.

Donald Trump signaled he may not strike Iran after claiming the regime has stopped killing protesters

Anti-regime protests have broken out across Iran, resulting in thousands of deaths. 

Furious anti-regime activists warned that Trump ‘has just thrown all those protesters under the bus’, inferring from his statement that he was offering Tehran an exit ramp. 

‘If you TACO now Trump then you have just thrown all those protesters under the bus #FreeIran,’ wrote an X user after the press conference.

The TACO insult stands for ‘Trump Always Chickens Out’, coined by Wall Street traders last May after the president repeatedly flip flopped on tariffs. 

The president repeatedly threatened to intervene over the last week if protesters were harmed and last night promised ‘strong action’ if Iran goes ahead with hangings.

It came after it emerged a 26-year-old shopkeeper was set to become the first alleged protester to be hanged in the crackdown.

However, in news that may come as a sign Tehran is backing down, Erfan Soltani’s family confirmed that he was not executed on Wednesday. 

Trump on Tuesday consulted with his national security team about next steps after telling reporters he believed the killing in Iran was ‘significant.’

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and key White House National Security Council officials began meeting last Friday to develop options for Trump, ranging from a diplomatic approach to military strikes.

Trump was mocked by anti-regime activists for appearing to walk back his red line on striking Iran

Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old Iranian protester, was set to be the first victim to be executed 

The president on Tuesday consulted with his national security team about next steps after telling reporters he believed the killing in Iran was ‘significant’

The Iranian security force crackdown on the demonstrations has killed at least 2,586, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported. 

On Wednesday, Iranian officials signaled that suspects detained in nationwide protests would face fast trials and executions while the Islamic Republic promised a ‘decisive response’ if the US or Israel intervene in the domestic unrest. 

The threats emerged as some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate by Wednesday evening. 

Mohammad Pakpour, commander of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, reiterated Iranian claims, without providing evidence, that the US and Israel have instigated the protests and that they are the real killers of protesters and security forces who have died in the turmoil, according to Iran’s state news agency. 

He added that those countries will ‘receive the response in the appropriate time.’

In a direct challenge to Trump earlier Wednesday, Iran’s judiciary chief urged the government to act quickly to punish 18,000 people detained during the protests.

Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei comments about rapid trials and executions were made in a video shared by Iranian state television online.

‘If we want to do a job, we should do it now. If we want to do something, we have to do it quickly,’ he said. ‘If it becomes late, two months, three months later, it doesn’t have the same effect. If we want to do something, we have to do that fast.’