The United Arab Emirates announced on Thursday that it has suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country until further notice. The General Civil Aviation Authority cited compliance with new U.S. sanctions that impose secondary penalties on foreign entities providing services to Iranian carriers.

The decision took effect immediately on September 24 and aligns the UAE with several other nations restricting Iranian aviation access. Oman, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Turkmenistan have also imposed similar limits following the U.S. measures announced after a September 23 deadline.[1][2]

U.S. sanctions target Iran's aviation sector by threatening companies worldwide with exclusion from the dollar financial system if they supply fuel, landing services, or ticket sales to sanctioned Iranian airlines. The Treasury Department sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines earlier in September as part of efforts to curb Tehran's ability to operate internationally. Washington has accused Iranian commercial carriers of supporting weapons transport and sanctions evasion.[3]

Dubai serves as a key hub for Iranian travelers and business links, with multiple daily flights previously operating between the two countries. Reports indicated immediate cancellations, including an Iran Airtour service from Tehran to Dubai that was pulled shortly before departure despite tickets having been issued. The UAE maintains a large Iranian expatriate community and close commercial ties that now face further disruption.

The move follows heightened tensions in the region, including prior Iranian missile and drone attacks on UAE territory during the US-Israel conflict with Iran. The UAE had already suspended trade and financial exchanges with Iran last month. Iranian authorities have criticized the restrictions and sought alternative routing where possible, though many international services remain curtailed.

The suspension underscores the effectiveness of U.S. secondary sanctions in pressuring third countries to enforce restrictions on Iranian operations. Officials in the UAE stated they will continue monitoring developments and provide updates as normal air traffic between the nations is assessed for resumption.