Washington/Tehran: Iran remains gripped by turmoil as reports of mass killings, a sweeping communications blackout, and international condemnation intensify.
Executions Halted:U.S. President Donald Trump said he had received information that executions in Iran would not proceed, declaring “the killing in Iran is stopping.” Asked if this meant Washington would refrain from military intervention, Trump said the U.S. would “watch and see.
Rights Groups Alarmed: Amnesty International reported evidence of “mass unlawful killings committed on an unprecedented scale” against mostly peaceful protesters and bystanders over the past week.
Blackout Continues: Internet and telecommunications remain largely cut off across Iran for the seventh consecutive day, according to monitoring group NetBlocks.
Global Response: Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven nations expressed “deep alarm” at the scale of deaths and injuries, warning Tehran of further sanctions if the crackdown continues.
Domestic Leadership: President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the dire economic conditions fueling unrest, saying Iranians’ demands must be heard. Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh vowed Iran would defend itself “with full force and until the last drop of blood” if attacked.
Airspace Closure: Iran temporarily closed its airspace to all flights except international arrivals and departures. FlightRadar confirmed the closure lasted just over two hours.
Washington has signaled caution, with President Trump holding back from immediate military action while keeping pressure on Tehran. The U.S. stance aligns with allies who are leaning toward sanctions rather than intervention, as global concern mounts over Iran’s handling of dissent.
