The UAE suspended all flights by Iranian airlines to and from the country on Thursday, citing US sanctions, its aviation authority said. An Iran Airtour flight from Tehran to Dubai was canceled shortly before departure, AFP reported.
Dubai is a major destination for Iranian carriers, with multiple daily flights, a large Iranian community and close business ties. Washington’s sanctions, announced earlier this month, target 27 airlines and dozens of supporting companies; the US Treasury warned airports and businesses that continue serving Iranian carriers risk losing access to the US dollar system. The UAE also suspended trade and financial exchanges with Iran last month; on Wednesday, its central bank blocked transactions involving Bank Melli, saying the bank had violated rules on money laundering, terrorism and arms proliferation.
The UAE joins Oman, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkmenistan in restricting Iranian airline access. Iranian Civil Aviation Organization spokesman Majid Akhavan said talks were under way to remove restrictions and restore flights to the UAE. He also said Turkmenistan had turned back a Tehran-Dushanbe flight after refusing the aircraft use of its airspace, forcing it to return. Some smaller Iranian airlines still fly to China and Armenia, while routes to Turkiye remain open to some carriers.
