All signs point to an imminent strike on Iran, with intelligence indicating the US could activate the military option at any moment. Two European officials told Reuters yesterday that American military intervention appears likely, with one stating it could occur within the next 24 hours.
Donald Trump in late Wednesday statements said he was informed by reliable sources that killings in Iran have stopped, however he left the military option on the table saying: “we’ll wait and see.” For the American president, as he stated in his Reuters interview, the fall of the Tehran government due to mass mobilizations remains possible, as “any regime can fail,” in his view. “Whether it falls or not, it will be an interesting time period,” he commented characteristically.
What’s happening with Iran’s airspace
It should be noted that Iran’s airspace closed yesterday, however as international media report, some domestic flights within the country appear to be resuming several hours after the decision, except for those flights that had received prior authorization. According to open flight data sources, several commercial flights took off Thursday morning, local time, bound for airports in Tehran. “With the NOTAM closing Iranian airspace expired, some flights are now making their way toward Tehran,” flight tracking website Flightradar24 reported on X.
With the NOTAM closing Iranian airspace expired, some flights are now making their way toward Tehran. https://t.co/IGaj36AUvI pic.twitter.com/Rhs03kbsmr
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) January 15, 2026
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Wednesday that Iran’s airspace had temporarily closed for all flights, except for international civil arrivals and departures with prior authorization from Iran’s Civil Aviation Authority.
Foreign nationals evacuating around Iran
Foreign citizens are being called to leave Iran. Specifically, as CNN reports, the following applies by country according to the latest update.
United States: Some personnel from the largest US military base in the Middle East have been called to leave the location in Qatar as a “precautionary measure,” a US official told CNN. Yesterday, President Donald Trump advised all American citizens in the country to leave Iran.
Qatar: The Qatari government stated it “continues to implement all necessary measures to ensure the safety of citizens and residents,” shortly after the US advised some personnel to leave Al-Udeid Air Base.
Italy: The Italian Foreign Ministry urged its citizens to leave Iran and said it is taking measures to protect its forces in the Middle East, including Iraq and Kuwait.
Germany: German authorities advised airlines to avoid Iranian airspace due to the potential use of “anti-aircraft weapons.” Additionally, German airline Lufthansa announced it would only operate daytime flights to and from Tel Aviv and Amman.
United Kingdom: The British government announced its embassy in Tehran has temporarily closed and all personnel have been withdrawn from Iran. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) also advised against all travel to Iran. Britain is also removing some personnel from the air base in Qatar, following the Americans’ earlier action.
Spain: Spain advised its citizens to leave Iran using “any available means” and strongly discouraged travel to the country.
Saudi Arabia: The US embassy in Saudi Arabia called on American citizens and personnel to exercise “increased vigilance,” encouraging them to limit “non-essential travel to any military facility in the region.”
India: Air India announced its flights in the region would be rerouted.
Polish citizens should leave Iran immediately, the country’s Foreign Ministry also announced.
Iran’s message to Trump: “Don’t repeat the same mistake – You’ll get the same result” – “This time, the bullet won’t miss”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sent a warning message to US President Donald Trump during an interview Wednesday on the American television network Fox News (which has its own significance). When asked what message he would like to send to Donald Trump, who – as noted – is considering some form of action to support protesters in Iran, Abbas Araghchi stated characteristically:
“My message is don’t repeat the same mistake you made in June. If you try again a failed experience, you’ll get the same result.”
.@BretBaier: “If you have a message for President Trump, who obviously is and has talked about and is considering some kind of action to help the protesters on the ground, if you have message for him, what is the message?”
IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: “My message is do not repeat… pic.twitter.com/svOVdVVZRi
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 14, 2026
During the same Fox News interview, the Iranian Foreign Minister also insisted there are no immediate plans for hangings or other executions of protesters. At the same time, he attempted to downplay the intensity of events, claiming “calm” now prevails. “We have full control,” Araghchi added. “And let’s hope reason will prevail and we won’t be led to a high level of tension that could prove catastrophic for everyone.”
Earlier, Iran appeared ready to respond “decisively” to any attack by the US or Israel, as the Revolutionary Guards leader warned yesterday, accusing these countries of being behind the protest movement shaking the Islamic Republic. State television referenced the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July 2024, when a bullet hit the American president’s ear during a campaign speech in Philadelphia, showing a protester’s sign reading “this time the bullet won’t miss.”
Iranian 🇮🇷 state media airs footage from the funeral of regime officials killed in clashes with protesters.
One sign reads “this time it won’t miss,” with a picture of POTUS 🇺🇸 from the assassination attempt in Butler, PA. pic.twitter.com/jirrLmIoXj
— Aleph א (@no_itsmyturn) January 14, 2026
UN Security Council convenes on Iran
Meanwhile, Somalia, which holds the UN Security Council presidency for January, announced a scheduled meeting on the situation in Iran under the agenda item “The situation in the Middle East,” on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 3:00 PM following a US request.
Trump’s cold shoulder to Reza Pahlavi
These developments occur as Trump once again appears to have given the cold shoulder to the son of Iran’s last shah, Reza Pahlavi. As he said in his Reuters interview from the Oval Office, he’s a “very nice” guy, however he questioned whether he can secure sufficient support to govern Iran, although – as mentioned – he left open the possibility of overthrowing Tehran’s regime.
