UAE Halts Iranian Airline Flights as U.S. Sanctions Disrupt Regional Travel

The United Arab Emirates has suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country, joining a growing group of governments restricting Iranian carriers under new U.S. sanctions.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority said Thursday that its decision was based on U.S. measures preventing sanctioned Iranian airlines from using airports worldwide. Oman, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkmenistan have also restricted or suspended access, according to Al Jazeera. Reuters reported that three Iraqi airports would suspend Iranian flights beginning Friday.

The restrictions have suspended Iranian airline connections to Dubai, a major commercial destination with close business ties to Iran. An Iran Airtour service from Tehran to Dubai was cancelled shortly before departure Thursday, AFP reported. Turkmenistan also denied overflight permission to a Tehran-Dushanbe service, forcing it to return, according to Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization.

The U.S. Treasury targeted 27 Iranian airlines and dozens of supporting companies earlier in September, warning that airports and businesses continuing to service them could lose access to the U.S. dollar system. The disruption has increased pressure on overland routes, with large backups reported near Iran’s border with Turkey.

Iranian aviation spokesman Majid Akhavan said diplomatic and aviation talks were under way to restore UAE flights. Some Iranian carriers continue serving China and Armenia, while certain routes to Turkey remain open.