The United Arab Emirates has suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country, joining a growing list of nations adopting United States sanctions aimed at severing Tehran's air links. The General Civil Aviation Authority announced the decision on Thursday, citing US sanctions that prevent Iranian carriers from using airports worldwide.
The suspension took immediate effect, with an Iran Airtour flight from Tehran to Dubai cancelled shortly before its scheduled departure on Thursday morning after tickets had already been issued.
The UAE's decision carries significant weight because Dubai serves as a major destination for Iranian carriers, hosting multiple daily flights, a large Iranian community and close business ties. The suspension therefore disrupts one of Iran's most important commercial aviation corridors at a time when Washington is attempting to cut off the country's air links entirely.
The move also reflects deepening regional alignment with US policy, coming just weeks after the UAE suspended trade and financial exchanges with Iran.
The UAE now joins five other countries that have restricted or suspended access for Iranian airlines under the new US sanctions threat:
On Wednesday, a day before the flight suspension, the UAE's central bank blocked transactions involving Iran's Bank Melli, alleging the financial institution had violated rules on money laundering, terrorism and arms proliferation.
The US Treasury announced sweeping sanctions on Iran's aviation sector earlier this month, targeting 27 airlines and dozens of supporting companies. The measures aim to cut off Iran's air links entirely, warning that any airport or company still servicing Iranian carriers risks being cut off from the US dollar system.
The UAE was repeatedly hit by Iranian missiles and drones throughout the US-Israel war on Iran, and last month suspended trade and financial exchanges with Tehran. Several smaller Iranian airlines continue flying to China and Armenia, both of which have resisted US pressure, while routes to Turkiye remain open for some carriers.
A statement carried by the Emirati WAM news agency said the General Civil Aviation Authority's decision was "based on the US sanctions imposed on Iranian airlines preventing them from using airports around the world."
Iran's Civil Aviation Organization spokesman Majid Akhavan said: "Diplomatic and aviation talks are under way to remove the restrictions and restore flights" to the UAE. He added that Turkmenistan also turned back a flight from Tehran to Dushanbe on Thursday, telling the Iranian IRNA news agency: "Turkmenistan's refusal to allow the Iranian aircraft to pass through its airspace meant the flight could not continue on its route and had to return."
The flight suspension is now in effect, with Iranian carriers unable to operate to or from the UAE. Iran has confirmed that diplomatic and aviation talks are under way to remove the restrictions and restore flights, though no timeline has been announced. Meanwhile, air links to China, Armenia and Turkiye remain partially open for some carriers, offering limited alternatives as broader international access continues to shrink.
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