Donald Trump steps back from Iran attack? Speculation rife as US return to Qatar base, Iranian airspace reopens

Doha: Two days after being withdrawn, US troops have begun returning to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Several US military transport planes have landed at the base carrying these soldiers. 

What is the situation at the Al Udeid Air Base?

The US has also lowered the security alert level at Al Udeid Air Base. The airbase had previously been placed on high alert due to the threat of an Iranian attack. However, the reduction in US military preparations suggests that Washington does not currently have any plans to attack Iran. Meanwhile, Iran has also reopened its airspace.

According to reports, the US has also allowed military personnel who were advised to leave the base on Wednesday to return. This is being seen as a sign of de-escalating tensions between the two countries. 

What is the reason for the de-escalation?

US President Donald Trump has also signaled a softening stance towards Iran. Trump said he had been told that killings in the crackdown on protests in Iran were decreasing and that he believed there were no current plans for mass executions.

Has Iran acknowledged Donald Trump's statement?

Earlier, Iran's Foreign Minister had said that Iran had no plans to execute people. Iranian state media reported on Thursday that Irfan Soltani, a 26-year-old man arrested during protests in Karaj city, would not be executed. The human rights organization Hengaw, citing Soltani's relatives, said that the previously issued order for his execution had been suspended.

How has Iran reacted?

Iran reopened its airspace after a closure of approximately five hours amid concerns of potential US military action. According to a notice on the US Federal Aviation Administration website, Iran had closed its airspace to all flights except international flights to and from Iran with official permission on Wednesday. 

According to the tracking service Flightradar24, the notice was lifted shortly before 10 PM ET, or 0300 GMT, which showed that five flights operated by Iranian carriers Mahan Air, Yazd Airways, and AVA Airlines were among the first to resume flying over the country.

Has  the US shelved plans to attack Iran?

It is still unclear whether the US will refrain from attacking Iran. Some reports circulating on social media suggested that the US had allegedly canceled an attack on Iran at the last minute. However, the return of the aircraft to their base in Qatar, the lowering of the alert level, and Iran's reopening of its airspace suggest that tensions between the two countries have eased.