The order allows international flights to and from Tehran, provided they obtain prior consent from Iran’s civil aviation authority, according to CNBC.
The restriction was first set to last from 10:15 pm UTC Wednesday to 12:30 am UTC Thursday, as noted by the Federal Aviation Administration. It was subsequently extended from 1:14 am to 3:30 am UTC.
The US has banned all American commercial flights from flying over Iran. Several airlines, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines, have also canceled numerous flights to Iran over the past week.
On January 14, Iranian officials indicated that swift trials and executions were imminent for individuals arrested during nationwide protests, while the Islamic Republic warned of retaliation if the US or Israel intervened in the ongoing domestic unrest.
Since December 28, Iran has been experiencing significant demonstrations due to the devaluation of the Iranian rial, compounded by economic pressures from international sanctions related to its nuclear program.
Trump has consistently warned of possible US military responses to the killing of peaceful demonstrators, just a few months following American military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict initiated by Israel against the Islamic Republic in June.
Death toll
The crackdown by security forces on the demonstrations has resulted in at least 2,615 fatalities, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. This death toll surpasses any previous wave of protests or unrest in Iran in decades and evokes memories of the turmoil surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that among the dead, 2,615 were demonstrators and 153 had affiliations with the government. Additionally, 13 children and 14 civilians not participating in the protests were killed.
Over 18,400 individuals have been arrested, the organization stated.
First Published: Jan 15, 2026 7:50 AM IST
