TEHRAN: Iranian news outlets reported on Thursday that the United Arab Emirates has suspended all flights operated by Iranian carriers in response to US-imposed sanctions related to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
According to ISNA news agency, “All Iranian airline flights to the UAE have been halted since midnight,” with no official statement from UAE authorities available at this time.
An Iranian passenger also confirmed that an Iran Airtour flight from Tehran to Dubai was canceled shortly before departure, despite tickets having already been issued. Dubai, a key hub for Iranian airlines, typically sees multiple daily flights from Iran and serves as a major transit point for travelers heading to Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is especially popular for business trips due to its extensive connections.
While flights to Dubai have been affected, Iran’s other key destination, Turkey, remains accessible to Iranian travelers.
The move comes after the US announced new sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector earlier this month, aiming to tighten restrictions on companies working with Iranian airlines. These sanctions include measures such as halting fuel supplies and cutting off access to the dollar-based financial system. Iranian airlines and related companies were given until Wednesday to comply, or face further penalties.
Starting Wednesday, Iran’s main international carriers had to cancel their flights as neighboring countries adopted tighter restrictions. On Thursday, Turkmenistan also announced restrictions, with the Civil Aviation Organisation stating that a Tehran-Dushanbe flight was unable to land in Tajikistan due to Turkmenistan’s refusal to permit overflight rights, forcing the plane to return to Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport.
Despite these restrictions, some smaller Iranian airlines continue to operate international routes, especially to China and Armenia, where US pressure has less influence. Iran’s aviation sector includes nearly 30 airlines, predominantly serving domestic and regional routes. Iran Air, the national carrier, along with private airline Mahan, remain the largest operators for international flights.
