Concerning theory sparked as live map of planes avoiding Iran’s airspace leaves people shocked

Concerns have been sparked after a live map of planes avoiding Iran’s airspace was revealed.

According to data from FlightRadar, a new NOTAM (a written notification issued to pilots before a flight, advising them of circumstances relating to the state of flying) was issued by Iran, closing airspace to all flights except international flights to/from Iran with permission.

The nation closed its airspace to commercial flights for hours without explanation early on Thursday (15 January) as tensions remain high with the United States over Tehran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests.

Beginning late last month (28 December), demonstrations erupted across multiple cities in Iran amid nationwide unrest against the Islamic Republic government and a deepening economic crisis. The events have been described as the largest uprising since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The airspace closure ran for more than four hours, according to pilot guidance issued by Iran, which lies on a key East-West flight route.

International carriers diverted north and south around Iran, but after one extension, the closure appeared to have expired, and several domestic flights were in the air just after 7 am local time, reports PA.

Iran previously shut its airspace during the 12-day war against Israel in June, and when it exchanged fire with Israel during the Israel-Hamas war. However, there were no signs of current hostilities.

"Several airlines have already reduced or suspended services, and most carriers are avoiding Iranian airspace," said the website SafeAirspace, which provides information on conflict areas and air travel.

"The situation may signal further security or military activity, including the risk of missile launches or heightened air defence, increasing the risk of misidentification of civil traffic."

The airspace closure came as some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate. The US Embassy in Kuwait also ordered its personnel to 'temporarily halt' going to the multiple military bases in the small Gulf Arab country.

US President Donald Trump made a series of vague statements on Wednesday (14 January) that left it unclear what American action, if any, would take place against Iran.

In comments to reporters, Trump said he had been told that plans for executions in Iran have stopped, without providing many details.

The shift comes a day after Trump told protesters in Iran that 'help is on the way' and that his administration would 'act accordingly' to respond to the Islamic Republic’s crackdown.

The change in tone by the US and Iran came hours after the chief of the Iranian judiciary said the government must act quickly to punish the thousands who have been detained.

Activists warned that hangings of detainees could come soon. The security forces’ crackdown on the demonstrations has killed at least 2,615, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported.

The death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades.

After catching light of the FlightRadar map, many people rushed to social media to share their shock about, firstly, just how many planes could be in the sky at the same time, as well as their worry about how concerning this situation is and that it could be a sign of something bad

"Crazy to think there are that many airplanes in the sky at one time," wrote one X user, while a second penned: "That’s a lot of planes in the air."

A third questioned: "Something huge is going to happen and is the start of World War 3?"

"Is about to go down," declared another.

And a final X user added: "Iran is gearing up to defend themselves. This is going to be a lot uglier than many people think. Iran is not Venezuela, and they have a strong and advanced military."