UAE Suspends Iranian Airline Flights to Align with US Sanctions

A flight information board at Imam Khomeini international airport in Tehran, Iran, on September 23, 2026. The United Arab Emirates has halted flights operated by Iranian airlines, joining several other nations in adopting United States sanctions designed to pressure Tehran’s aviation sector.

On Thursday, a statement released by the Emirati WAM news agency announced that the General Civil Aviation Authority suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the UAE. The decision stems from US sanctions imposed on Iranian airlines that prevent them from using airports globally.

The UAE joins Oman, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkmenistan in restricting or suspending access for Iranian carriers amid the new US sanctions threat. Dubai, the commercial hub of the UAE, serves as a primary destination for Iranian carriers, featuring multiple daily flights, an extensive Iranian community, and strong business connections. According to the AFP news agency, an Iran Airtour flight from Tehran to Dubai was cancelled shortly before its scheduled departure on Thursday morning after tickets had already been issued.

Following multiple incidents involving Iranian missiles and drones hitting the UAE during the US-Israel war on Iran, the country suspended trade and financial exchanges with Iran last month. Furthermore, the UAE's central bank blocked transactions involving Bank Melli on Wednesday, alleging that the financial institution breached regulations regarding money laundering, terrorism, and arms proliferation.

Earlier this month, the US Treasury introduced sweeping sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector, focusing on 27 airlines and numerous supporting companies. These measures intend to completely sever Iran's air links, issuing warnings that any airport or company continuing to service Iranian carriers faces the risk of exclusion from the US dollar system.

Majid Akhavan, a spokesperson for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, stated that diplomatic and aviation talks are currently under way to eliminate the restrictions and reinstate flights to the UAE. Akhavan also noted that Turkmenistan turned back a flight from Tehran to Dushanbe on Thursday, explaining that Turkmenistan’s refusal to permit the Iranian aircraft to use its airspace forced the flight to abandon its route and return, as reported by the Iranian IRNA news agency.

Meanwhile, several smaller Iranian airlines maintain operations to China and Armenia, both of which have pushed back against US pressure, while routes to Turkiye remain accessible for select carriers.