The situation inside Iran remains fluid, with nationwide protests, arrests and a persistent internet blackout compounding an already tense regional standoff. For organisations with people, assets or supply chains connected to Iran or the wider Gulf, the past week has brought a fast-moving mix of security, aviation and diplomatic developments that warrants close, continuous monitoring rather than a one-off assessment.
Protests, casualties and an information blackout
Security forces have been conducting arrests and enforcement operations in Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, Ahvaz and Kermanshah, among other major urban centres, amid ongoing anti-government protests that have persisted since late 2025. As of 14 January, more than 3,000 protestors were reported killed, and an internet blackout has been in force since 8 January, making independent verification of events on the ground increasingly difficult.
Aviation and airspace disruption
Iran briefly closed its airspace for nearly five hours, forcing international carriers to cancel, divert or reroute flights before the closure was lifted at 0730 hours local time on 15 January. Iranian carriers Mahan Air, Yazd Airways and AVA Airlines have resumed domestic operations, but international carriers including Air India, IndiGo, Lufthansa, Flydubai, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways continue to reroute or cancel flights as a precaution.
A wider regional security posture
Regional security alert levels remain elevated across Iran, Israel and the Gulf Cooperation Council states, as well as Iraq and Turkey, amid uncertainty over a potential US response. Israel has raised its military readiness, with its air force on heightened alert for ‘surprise scenarios’, while a UN Security Council meeting on the Iran situation was convened on 15 January. US President Donald Trump has said killings in Iran have stopped and there are no plans for executions, while declining to rule out military action.
Recommendations for organisations
Organisations with any footprint connected to Iran should urgently review physical security, employee travel and digital security against potential cyber threats, and should suspend non-essential operations and projects in-country. It is advisable to coordinate closely with embassies, security providers and insurers for real-time updates, implement shelter-in-place protocols for any remaining staff, and restrict movement to essential activity only until the situation stabilises.
Download the full report now
The MitKat Risk Flash on the Iran crisis includes an operational-impact assessment, a verified map of protest locations since 28 December 2025, and direct contact details for a detailed special report. Download the full report now to stay updated.
What is inside
- Iran is facing nationwide anti-government protests, with more than 3,000 protestors reportedly killed as of 14 January and an internet blackout in place since 8 January.
- A brief five-hour airspace closure was lifted at 0730 hours local time on 15 January, though major international carriers continue to reroute or cancel flights.
- The US, UK, India, Spain and Italy have advised their citizens to leave Iran immediately, and the UK has closed its embassy in Tehran.
- Israel has raised its military readiness levels, and a UN Security Council meeting on the Iran situation was scheduled for 15 January.
Filed under: EMEARegional Risk Reviews