As masses appear to flee Tehran, police blame traffic on clunkers breaking down on the road

Amid reports of masses of Tehran residents fleeing the city and seeking safety from Israeli strikes, Iranian officials claim heavy traffic along arteries leading out of the city is not due to a mass exodus but poor auto maintenance.

State-run news agency IRNA claims that traffic jams last night and this morning are caused by cars breaking down and overheating due to drivers bringing defective vehicles onto the roadway.

“Despite repeated warnings and information from the traffic police, some drivers have entered the roads with vehicles with technical defects, leading to traffic jams and long delays, especially on the northern routes,” a top police official is quoted saying.

The traffic jams continue for hours now in Tehran.. Not sure why these tweets are stagnant, but it is noteworthy re: the Regime that so many Iranians are fleeing their capital as Israeli jets operate freely overhead in broad daylight. https://t.co/Rr8O8jKLjQ pic.twitter.com/zNmdsB7d5b

— Ron M. (@Jewtastic) June 15, 2025

Police claim other routes are running smoothly.

According to the outlet, the main highway out of Tehran leading northward now allows only one-way traffic.