I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m noticing more and more In The Wild pics where SOF have done away with irons altogether.

Back-up iron sights (BUIS) are conspicuous by their very absence:

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos
Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos
Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

What’s the reason for this absence, this no BUIS look?

Modern optics have become so reliable, that many feel a back-up is simply not required.