Iran crisis explained: what we know so far

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Original article by Guardian staff

Iran reopened its airspace at 0300 GMT on Thursday after a near-five-hour closure amid concerns about possible military action between the US and Iran that forced airlines to cancel, reroute or delay some flights.
In contrast to indications of an imminent US strike on Iran, Donald Trump said on Wednesday he had been told “on good authority” that plans for executions in Iran have stopped. He added: “There’s no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions – so I’ve been told that on good authority.” Earlier, reports suggested the US president had decided on military action but it was unclear what form it might take. On Wednesday night, Trump said: “We’re going to watch and see what the process is,” adding that he’s been given “a very good statement by people that are aware of what’s going on”.
Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told Fox News “there is no plan” by Iran to execute people in retaliation for the anti-government protests. “Hanging is out of the question,” he said.
The family of Erfan Soltani, the first Iranian protester sentenced to death since the current unrest began, have been told his execution has been postponed.
The US requested an emergency meeting of the UN security council on Iran on Thursday afternoon, a council diplomat said.
Some US and UK personnel have been evacuated as a precaution from sites in the Middle East. The British embassy in Tehran has also been temporarily closed.
India, Spain, Italy and Poland advised their citizens to leave Iran. It follows a call by the US urging its citizens to leave Iran, suggesting land routes to Turkey or Armenia.
Araghchi insisted the situation was “under control,” and urged the US to engage in diplomacy. “Now there’s calm. We have everything under control, and let’s hope that wisdom prevails and we don’t end up in a situation of high tension that would be catastrophic for everyone,” Araghchi said.
The death toll in Iran from the regime’s crackdown stands at 2,571 people, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists news agency (HRANA). More than 18,100 have been arrested, it said.
Foreign ministers from the G7 group said they were “prepared to impose additional restrictive measures” on Iran over its handling of the protests, and the “deliberate use of violence, the killing of protesters, arbitrary detention and intimidation tactics”.

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Iran crisis explained: what we know so far

Click any word to translate

Original article by Guardian staff

Iran reopened its airspace at 0300 GMT on Thursday after a near-five-hour closure amid concerns about possible military action between the US and Iran that forced airlines to cancel, reroute or delay some flights.
In contrast to indications of an imminent US strike on Iran, Donald Trump said on Wednesday he had been told “on good authority” that plans for executions in Iran have stopped. He added: “There’s no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions – so I’ve been told that on good authority.” Earlier, reports suggested the US president had decided on military action but it was unclear what form it might take. On Wednesday night, Trump said: “We’re going to watch and see what the process is,” adding that he’s been given “a very good statement by people that are aware of what’s going on”.
Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told Fox News “there is no plan” by Iran to execute people in retaliation for the anti-government protests. “Hanging is out of the question,” he said.
The family of Erfan Soltani, the first Iranian protester sentenced to death since the current unrest began, have been told his execution has been postponed.
The US requested an emergency meeting of the UN security council on Iran on Thursday afternoon, a council diplomat said.
Some US and UK personnel have been evacuated as a precaution from sites in the Middle East. The British embassy in Tehran has also been temporarily closed.
India, Spain, Italy and Poland advised their citizens to leave Iran. It follows a call by the US urging its citizens to leave Iran, suggesting land routes to Turkey or Armenia.
Araghchi insisted the situation was “under control,” and urged the US to engage in diplomacy. “Now there’s calm. We have everything under control, and let’s hope that wisdom prevails and we don’t end up in a situation of high tension that would be catastrophic for everyone,” Araghchi said.
The death toll in Iran from the regime’s crackdown stands at 2,571 people, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists news agency (HRANA). More than 18,100 have been arrested, it said.
Foreign ministers from the G7 group said they were “prepared to impose additional restrictive measures” on Iran over its handling of the protests, and the “deliberate use of violence, the killing of protesters, arbitrary detention and intimidation tactics”.