Iran Extends Airspace Closure Amid Protests

Iran extended its closure of airspace to commercial aircraft early Thursday without providing a reason, as nationwide protests against economic hardship entered their third week and tensions with the United States escalated over the government's violent response to the unrest.

The closure, announced via a notice to pilots, was set to last until 7:30 a.m. local time, following a brief two-hour shutdown earlier. Iranian authorities offered no details on the decision, which comes amid heightened security measures during the demonstrations that have spread to more than 280 locations across the country. The protests, which began on December 28, initially focused on the collapse of the Iranian rial and record inflation but have evolved into broader antigovernment agitation.

Security forces have cracked down harshly on the unrest, resulting in significant casualties. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 2,615 protesters have been killed, along with 153 government-affiliated personnel, including 13 children and 14 civilians not participating in the demonstrations. More than 18,400 people have been detained. An Iranian official reported a lower figure...