All flights operated by Iranian airlines to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been cancelled. Iranian state media reported that this decision was made in light of new sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iran’s Student News Agency (ISNA) reported that all flights by Iranian airlines bound for the UAE have been halted since midnight local time on Wednesday. On Thursday morning, an Iran Airtour flight from Tehran to Dubai was also cancelled shortly before its scheduled departure.
Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had announced that, starting September 23, foreign airports, fuel suppliers, and other service providers would face the threat of sanctions if they facilitated the international operations of Iranian airlines.
He warned that entities providing services such as fuel, landing facilities, or ticket sales to Iranian aircraft would risk being cut off from the US dollar-based financial system.
Beyond the UAE, Iranian air travel has faced significant disruptions. Flights to Baghdad (Iraq), Muscat (Oman), and several other regional routes have been suspended. Various reports indicate that Azerbaijan and Georgia have also halted Iranian flight operations.
However, there are reports that limited flights to certain destinations, including China, remain operational. Iran’s international air connectivity has further contracted as a result of the new US sanctions.
