Iran appeared to reopen its airspace after a sudden overnight closure disrupted regional flights amid ongoing security warnings and mounting regional tensions.

The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting Thursday to discuss Iran's deadly protests at the request of the United States, even as President Donald Trump left unclear what actions he would take against the Islamic state.

Christopher Friedman, a probation officer in Washington state, told ABC News that he voted for Trump mainly based on domestic issues such as crime and the economy. He said he felt indifferent about the Venezuela operations, since he does not feel any direct impact to his life or know anyone from there.

The United States is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbours it would hit American bases if Washington strikes.

Huge protests in Iran have galvanised exiled foes of the authorities but despite their hatred of the ruling clerics, a bitter schism dating to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution still afflicts the leading opposition factions.

The Trump administration touted last year’s bombing of Iranian nuclear sites as one of its great military successes. But a strike to support protesters would need to be very different and could backfire.

The videos that have trickled out of the Islamic Republic offer a rare glimpse into the scope of the crackdown.

Speaking with Reuters in the Oval Office, Trump said Iran's clerical government may collapse, blamed Ukraine President Zelenskiy for the stalemate in Russia talks and dismissed Republican criticism of a probe of Fed Chair Powell.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates — The nationwide protests challenging Iran’s theocracy appeared increasingly smothered Thursday, a week on from authorities shutting the country off from the world and escalating a bloody crackdown that activists say killed at least 2,615 people.