Iran escalated its rhetoric against the United States by airing footage of an assassination attempt on Donald Trump on state television along with chilling warnings that “this time the bullet will not miss,” even as Tehran partially closed its airspace due to rising domestic unrest and regional tensions. The development comes at a volatile time in US-Iran relations, with nationwide protests inside Iran, suspension of international travel and renewed speculation about possible US military action.
Below are ten key events that shaped the fast-moving crisis.
1. Iran broadcasts footage of Trump assassination with direct threat
Iranian state radio broadcast footage from a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, showing then-presidential candidate Donald Trump bloodied, accompanied by the message: “This time the bullet won’t miss.”
The message was widely interpreted as a reference to the Butler rally shooting in which Trump was wounded during a campaign speech. Iranian television linked the warning with a photo of the event.
2. The Revolutionary Guards promise retaliation
The head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the regime would respond “at an appropriate time” to the United States and Israel, which Tehran accuses of fomenting the unrest plaguing the country.
Read also | Trump says Iran’s execution plan has ‘halted’, but Tehran signals trials for 18,000 people
3. Trump signals support for Iranian protesters
President Trump has repeatedly posted on social media “HELP IS ON THE WAY” and “MIGA” (Make Iran Great Again), signaling apparent political support for protesters challenging Iran’s spiritual leadership.
4. The position of the US military is tightening in the Gulf
Earlier, some U.S. personnel were told to leave the U.S. military base in Qatar as a “precautionary measure,” people familiar with the matter told CNN, underscoring growing fears of retaliation or escalation related to the protests and rhetoric.
5. The number of victims increases when the Internet goes out
At least 2,400 protesters have been killed since the crackdown began last month, according to a US-based human rights group. The internet blackout remains in effect, while one Tehran resident described the atmosphere as “extremely heavy and tense”.
Read also | Jaishankar takes a call from Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi, discusses the unrest
6. Iran denies plans for executions
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sought to allay international concerns, telling Fox News: “There is no plan to hang.”
“Hanging is out of the question,” he said, according to Reuters — despite hanging being a historically common method of execution in Iran.
7. Tehran partially closes the airspace
Aviation tracker Flightradar24 reported that Iran had closed its airspace to all flights except international services operated with special permission. The warning was issued for just over two hours, with live data showing airlines actively avoiding Iranian skies.
8. Airlines reroute around Iran and Iraq
Germany’s Lufthansa said it would bypass Iranian and Iraqi airspace “until further notice”, Agence France-Presse reported. The decision applies to the entire Lufthansa group, including Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Discover, Eurowings, Swiss and ITA Airways, citing “the current situation in the Middle East”.
9. Execution of Erfan Soltani reportedly postponed
Erfan Soltani’s cousin told The Guardian that prison authorities had informed the family that his execution had been postponed, without giving further details. The family has not seen or heard from him to independently verify the claims.
Read also | Iran signals plans for speedy trials and executions of protesters
10. Trump keeps the military option open
Speaking at an Oval Office event, President Trump said the killings in Iran’s crackdown appeared to be easing and that he believed there was “no plan for large-scale executions,” stopping short of ruling out U.S. military action.
“We will follow and see what the process is,” he told reporters, adding that he had received “very good statements from people who are aware of what is going on.”
The regional fallout is expanding
Beyond Iran, the diplomatic and travel impact is spreading. The British Foreign Office warned against all but essential travel to parts of Israel and the occupied West Bank, citing “heightened regional tensions”, and reiterated its warning against all travel to Iran, along with the temporary closure of the British embassy in Tehran.
