Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his first public remarks since the start of nationwide protests, attempted to distinguish between what he called the bazaar’s “legitimate” grievances and the broader anti-state uprising. He praised the country’s merchants as among the Islamic Republic’s most loyal supporters and insisted that foreign enemies could not use the bazaar to challenge the state. However, demonstrations have continued in Tehran’s markets, where authorities used tear gas to disperse crowds chanting anti-government slogans, including calls for Khamenei’s removal.

The unrest reflects a deeper erosion of the bazaar’s traditional alliance with Iran’s ruling establishment. Once a pillar of the 1979 revolution, the merchant class has seen its influence decline over two decades of economic favoritism toward the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and religious foundations, compounded by sanctions and inflation. The IRGC’s growing dominance in trade, banking, and infrastructure has marginalized traditional business networks that once anchored the regime’s stability.

Analysts note that while the state could theoretically ease sanctions and curb IRGC-linked conglomerates to regain bazaar support, escalating tensions with the West and entrenched power structures make such reforms increasingly unlikely.

Iran has temporarily closed its airspace to nearly all flights except for international civilian arrivals and departures, according to an official aviation notice issued early Thursday. The notice stated that Tehran’s airspace would remain closed until January 15, with only limited operations allowed under approval from the Civil Aviation Authority.

The decision comes amid escalating anti-government protests, growing international scrutiny, and heightened security concerns across the country. Human rights groups claim that thousands have been killed or injured since demonstrations began in late December, though Iranian authorities have not released official casualty figures.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he was informed that executions of protesters in Iran had been halted, warning that Washington would take “very tough measures” if they resumed. G7 foreign ministers condemned the “deliberate use of violence” against demonstrators and urged Iran to show restraint and respect human rights. Iranian officials, meanwhile, accused the United States and Israel of supporting unrest and terrorism, allegations denied by Western nations.

Several European countries have issued urgent travel advisories instructing their citizens to leave Iran immediately due to escalating anti-government protests and a deteriorating security environment. Italy, Poland, Germany, and Spain released warnings on Wednesday, citing growing instability. Italy’s foreign ministry reported that around 600 Italian nationals are currently in Iran, mostly in Tehran, and reiterated its call for them to depart swiftly. Poland also advised against travel to Iran, while Germany urged its citizens to avoid visits and for those already there to leave, warning of potential arbitrary arrests. Spain similarly discouraged travel and asked Spanish nationals to exit using available means.

The unrest began on December 28 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, sparked by protests over the sharp devaluation of Iran’s currency, the rial, and worsening economic conditions. Demonstrations have since spread to multiple cities across the country. Recent fears of a possible U.S. military strike have further heightened tensions and uncertainty in the region.

The coordinated European advisories reflect growing international concern over Iran’s internal instability and the safety of foreign nationals.

Iran has warned neighboring countries that US military bases across the Middle East will be targeted if Washington launches an attack on Iran. According to Reuters, Tehran issued the warning after US President Donald Trump threatened military action in response to ongoing protests in Iran. A senior Iranian official said Tehran has urged regional states to prevent Washington from attacking Iran, naming Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey among those cautioned.

The official added that direct communication between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff has been suspended amid rising tensions. An Israeli assessment cited by Reuters suggested that Trump has decided to intervene in Iran, though the scope and timing remain unclear. Meanwhile, US forces are stationed at several Middle Eastern bases, including Qatar’s Al Udeid base and the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.

Reuters also reported that some US troops at Al Udeid have been advised to relocate to safer areas, though no specific reason was provided for the precaution.

The United Nations has expressed serious concern over escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Tuesday that statements resembling military rhetoric could further aggravate the situation. His comments came in response to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who encouraged Iranian protesters to continue their demonstrations, saying that help was on the way.

Dujarric emphasized that all member states should prioritize diplomacy over military-style language. He also clarified that the UN currently has no plans to withdraw its personnel from Iran, where 46 international staff and 448 local employees are working. The UN’s position reflects its caution amid growing unrest and economic deterioration in Iran.

In recent weeks, Iran has witnessed widespread protests triggered by economic decline and the rapid devaluation of the Iranian rial. Reports indicate multiple deaths among protesters and police officers across several cities, with incidents of violence adding to the instability.

Iran’s Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni has pledged to expedite the trials of individuals arrested during recent protests across the country. The announcement was made on Wednesday through state television, which described the demonstrations as “riots.” During a visit to a Tehran prison where many detainees are being held, Mohseni stated that authorities must act quickly in cases involving violence such as arson or beheadings.

According to Iranian news agencies, Mohseni also called for the trials to be conducted publicly. Reports said he spent about five hours at the Tehran facility reviewing case files of those detained in connection with the unrest. Human rights organizations have claimed that thousands of people have been arrested in the recent protests and expressed fears that Iran’s judiciary may impose widespread death sentences.

The situation has heightened international concern over human rights conditions in Iran, as observers warn that the judiciary’s approach could further escalate tensions within the country.

UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, Mai Sato, has warned that Iran’s use of the death penalty to suppress anti-government protests is illegal and demonstrates the authorities’ readiness to execute protesters. In a statement issued Wednesday, Sato said the announcement of death sentences against protesters constitutes a clear violation of international human rights standards. She cited the case of 26-year-old protester Erfan Soltani, arrested on January 8 in Fardis, west of Tehran, who was sentenced to death and scheduled for execution the same day.

Sato wrote on social media platform X that although the execution did not take place on Wednesday, the declared intent to use the death penalty and the sentencing of a protester under the charge of “moharebeh” or “enmity against God” reflect the authorities’ deep disregard for freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. She emphasized that the death penalty cannot be a legitimate response in a country that respects these freedoms.

The statement underscores growing concern over Iran’s handling of dissent and its adherence to international human rights obligations.

Iran may carry out the death sentence of Erfan Soltani today, a 26-year-old arrested last week in Karaj for alleged involvement in ongoing anti-government protests. Soltani was among thousands detained during the demonstrations. Within less than a week, he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death, according to The Guardian.

Amnesty International expressed concern over Soltani’s case, warning that Iranian authorities might again be using rapid trials and executions to suppress dissent. The organization said officials informed Soltani’s family of his sentence on January 11. Due to widespread protests and internet shutdowns, Soltani has reportedly been unable to contact his loved ones.

Observers note that Iran is the world’s second-highest executor after China. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization reported that at least 1,500 people were executed in Iran last year, highlighting the country’s extensive use of capital punishment.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Washington will take 'very severe measures' if Iran begins executing protesters detained during the ongoing demonstrations. He did not specify what actions the United States might take. The statement, delivered on Tuesday, drew a sharp response from Tehran, which accused Washington of using the warning as a pretext for potential military intervention, according to AFP.

Human rights organizations reported that thousands have been killed during the crackdown on protests, which analysts describe as one of the biggest challenges to Iran’s religious leadership in years. The Iranian mission to the United Nations said on social media that U.S. strategies aimed at regime change have failed before and will fail again, accusing Washington of using sanctions, threats, and unrest to justify intervention.

Iranian authorities claimed they have regained control after several nights of mass protests, while rights groups alleged that security forces shot demonstrators and shut down the internet for over five days to conceal the scale of repression. Tehran prosecutors said some detainees were charged as 'enemies of God' and face possible death sentences.

France and Canada have advised their citizens in Iran to leave the country immediately, citing a rapidly deteriorating political and security environment. Both governments warned that the situation has become increasingly dangerous for foreigners as tensions rise within Iran and across the region.

According to a statement from the Canadian government, ongoing anti-government protests, regional instability, and the risk of arbitrary detention make travel or stay in Iran unsafe. Canada also acknowledged that its ability to provide consular assistance in Iran is severely limited. France’s foreign ministry issued a similar alert, noting that internal unrest and tensions involving the United States and Israel have heightened security risks. French nationals were urged to avoid non-essential travel, stay away from demonstrations, and follow guidance from the French embassy in Tehran.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly encouraged Iranian citizens to continue their protests, while Iran accused the United States and Israel of fueling the unrest, claiming that initially peaceful demonstrations were later infiltrated by armed groups.

Iran has accused the United States and Israel of being responsible for the killing of innocent civilians during the ongoing protests across the country. The allegation came from a senior Iranian official in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning about intervening in the demonstrations. According to TRT World, Trump had urged Iranians on social media to seize government institutions, prompting former parliament speaker and current secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, to name Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as the main killers of the Iranian people.

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, sent a letter to the UN Security Council accusing Trump of inciting political instability, encouraging violence, and threatening Iran’s sovereignty and national security. He wrote that the U.S. and Israeli governments bear direct and undeniable legal responsibility for the deaths of innocent civilians, especially among the youth. The letter was also sent to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Iranian authorities stated that the situation has come under control following nationwide demonstrations that began on Thursday over rising living costs.

Iran has accused the United States of attempting to create a pretext for military intervention in the country. The allegation was made on Tuesday through a post by Iran’s mission to the United Nations on social media platform X. Tehran claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump was responsible for inciting protesters and that Washington’s actions were aimed at destabilizing Iran’s internal situation.

According to the post, the United States seeks to change Iran’s governing system through sanctions, threats, and deliberate efforts to create unrest and disorder. The statement came as Washington continued to warn of tough measures against Tehran over alleged repression of ongoing demonstrations. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, also sent a letter to the UN Security Council accusing Trump of encouraging political instability, inciting violence, and threatening Iran’s sovereignty and national security.

In the same letter, Iravani asserted that the United States and Israel bear direct and undeniable legal responsibility for civilian deaths, particularly among young people. The letter was also sent to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Iran’s government has for the first time officially acknowledged that nearly 2,000 people have died during ongoing anti-government protests and subsequent security operations. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday that both protesters and security personnel were among the dead, though no breakdown was provided. The official blamed individuals described as “terrorists” for the violence and resulting casualties.

Exiled media outlet Iran International disputed the government’s figure, reporting that at least 12,000 people were killed in recent crackdowns. It alleged that authorities shut down internet access nationwide and restricted information flow to conceal the true scale of casualties. The outlet said communication networks were disrupted, media outlets closed, and journalists and witnesses intimidated, making verification difficult.

According to Iran International, the dead were mostly under 30, and many were allegedly shot by members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij forces. The report claimed the operations were planned under direct orders from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with authorization for lethal force issued by the National Security Council.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed solidarity with Iranians participating in ongoing anti-government protests and urged them to continue demonstrating in the streets. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump called on Iranian patriots to seize institutions and record the names of those responsible for killings and repression. He announced the cancellation of all meetings with Iranian officials until the violence stops and said that help is on the way, though he did not specify the nature or timing of that assistance.

The protests began on December 28 in Tehran’s markets over economic hardship and quickly spread nationwide. Rising prices, severe inflation, and the fall of the rial have driven young people and ordinary citizens into continuous demonstrations. The situation worsened last Thursday after Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last exiled Shah, called for stronger protests against the government.

Trump’s remarks come as the unrest intensifies, but details about the promised aid and U.S. actions remain unclear.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the Iranian government is in its final days and weeks, asserting that a regime sustained only by violence has lost its legitimacy. He said the Iranian people have risen against their government. His remarks come as unrest continues across Iran.

In response to growing violence in Iran, several European countries have summoned Iranian ambassadors. Spain’s foreign minister said the summoning was to strongly condemn the repression of protests, while Finland’s foreign minister accused Tehran of shutting down the internet to conceal killings and crackdowns. The protests began more than two weeks ago, on December 28, after the Iranian rial sharply depreciated against the US dollar, prompting Tehran’s shopkeepers to take to the streets.

The demonstrations have since spread widely across the country, with reports indicating significant casualties, including around 2,000 deaths involving security personnel and civilians.