USA and UK Withdraw Part of Personnel from Military Base in Qatar. Iran's Air Defense on High Alert

In an official statement, the Qatari government emphasized that such actions by the USA are a response to the current situation in the region. It was also reported that the British embassy in Tehran has temporarily closed and will now operate remotely.

Additionally, the US embassy in Doha advised its staff to exercise caution and limit unnecessary travel to Al Udeid Air Base.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Iran closed its airspace to most flights starting at 02:45 local time (22:15 GMT) on Thursday. Initially, the closure was expected to last two hours, but it has been extended until 08:00 local time (03:30 GMT), as reported by Reuters.

As a result, several airlines, including Air India and Lufthansa, announced they would reroute their flights to avoid Iranian airspace. Air India warned of potential delays and cancellations, while Lufthansa confirmed that its flights would bypass Iran and Iraq "until further notice."

Human rights organizations report that more than 2,400 protesters have been killed as a result of recent crackdowns by Iranian authorities, marking one of the most serious challenges to clerical power since the Islamic Revolution.

Regarding the withdrawal of military personnel, the Qatari government promised to take all necessary measures to protect its citizens and ensure the security of critical infrastructure and military facilities.

A representative of the UK Ministry of Defence declined to comment on reports of personnel withdrawal, citing "operational security."

Al Udeid Air Base is the largest American military facility in the Middle East, housing around 10,000 troops, including about 100 British soldiers. It is still unclear how many personnel will leave the base.

Recently, President Trump warned that the USA might take "very tough actions" against Iran in the event of executions of protesters. In response, Iran stated its readiness to respond to any aggressive actions from the USA.

On Wednesday, Trump reported that his administration received information from "reliable sources" that "executions in Iran have stopped, and there are no plans for executions." When asked about the possibility of military action, he replied, "We will be watching the developments closely."

According to Reuters, citing diplomats, despite the partial withdrawal of some military personnel, there is currently no mass evacuation as seen last year before the Iranian strike.

In an interview with Fox News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Trump against repeating past mistakes, adding that "if you try to repeat a failed experience, you will get the same result." He also commented on the information about a 26-year-old man sentenced to death, assuring that "there will be no executions in the near future."

In addition to the closure of the British embassy in Tehran, the US representation in Saudi Arabia also urged its citizens to limit travel to military facilities in the region.

Italy and Poland recommended their citizens leave Iran, while Germany informed airlines of the need to avoid flights to Tehran due to potential risks associated with escalating conflict.

Iran accused the USA of attempting to create a pretext for military intervention, and the parliamentary speaker stated that in the event of an attack by the USA, both Israeli and American military facilities in the region would be targeted.

Recent protests in Iran began in late December amid currency collapse and rising prices, quickly escalating into demands for political change.

According to the human rights agency HRANA, the number of deceased protesters has reached 2,403, including 12 children, despite internet shutdowns. The agency also reports over 18,000 arrests among demonstrators.

Amnesty International has reported "mass unlawful killings," based on verified information and video footage from Iran, urging UN member states to recognize the "crimes committed by security forces" during the protests.