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Nearly 5-hour Iran airspace closure: What is Flightradar24 showing?
The Trump administration had earlier said that if Iran chooses to execute its protestors, the nation will take 'very strong action'
- PUBLISHED: Thu 15 Jan 2026, 1:53 PM
- By:
- Meher Dhanjal
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As tensions simmer between Iran and the US, multiple developments have taken place rapidly over the last 48 hours.
The Trump administration had earlier said that if Iran chooses to execute its protestors, the nation will take "very strong action". Late last night, however, Trump said that he had received on good authority that the "executions won't take place" and that the "killings have stopped".
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closing its airspace for a few hours overnight. Here's everything you need to know about it:
Why did Iran close its airspace recently?
Iran temporarily closed its airspace after heightened tensions with the US and internal unrest, restricting the airspace to only those with special permits.
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US President Donald Trump had been weighing a response to the situation in Iran, which is seeing its biggest anti-government protests in years. The United States also withdrew some personnel from bases in the Middle East, on Wednesday after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbors it would hit American bases if Washington strikes.
Missile and drone barrages in a growing number of conflict zones represent a high risk to airline traffic.
How long was the Iranian airspace closed?
The airspace was closed for nearly five hours overnight on Wednesday, January 14.
Which airlines were affected by the Iran airspace closure?
India's largest airline, IndiGo said some of its international flights would be impacted by Iran's sudden airspace closure. Air India said its flights were using alternative routes that could result in delays or cancellations.
A flight by Russia's Aeroflot bound for Tehran returned to Moscow after the closure, according to Flightradar24 data.
What is Flightradar24 showing about Iran airspace?
At the time of publication, Flightradar24 is showing flights crossing Iran's airspace normally.
However, last night, it showed planes avoiding Iran's airspace, flying around the nation. At the same time last week, at least a dozen flights could be seen over Iran.
Does the Iran airspace closure affect Gulf flight routes?
Yes, flight routes to and from the Gulf, often cross Iranian airspace. An airspace restriction over Iran would mean that flight times would increase.
What is a NOTAM and how does it relate to airspace closures?
A NOTAM is a Notice to Air Missions. These are issued to inform pilots and airlines of changes in airspace restrictions, among other things.
What safety measures do airlines take during airspace closures?
For the safety of all those on board, and to respect international law, they will avoid restricted airspaces. They also avoid flying over high-risk airspace and follow civil aviation risk advisories.
