UAE suspends all Iranian Airline flights

The UAE has suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country from Thursday until further notice, its General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said, citing the US ban targeting Iranian carriers' access to airports worldwide.

The move follows the US implementation of sweeping new secondary sanctions aimed at grounding Iran's entire global civilian fleet, threatening foreign airports and companies with severe financial penalties if they provide Iranian carriers with services such as refueling, landing assistance or ticket sales. 

The US Treasury had sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines on September 8 as part of a broader package targeting 36 entities and individuals linked to Iran's aviation sector, accusing Iranian commercial carriers of being used to transport weapons and personnel and to help the country evade existing sanctions. Tehran has dismissed the measures as part of a wider US pressure campaign.

Flights to Baghdad, Muscat and Qatar were halted earlier this week, while Georgia and Azerbaijan have also suspended Iranian carriers, though some services to China and Türkiye have continued. Iranian media reported earlier Thursday that flights to the UAE had already been canceled from midnight, including an Iran Airtour service from Tehran to Dubai. The GCAA said it would continue updating authorities and the public pending the resumption of normal air traffic with Iran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the sanctions would only strengthen Iran's resistance to US pressure, while Tehran has warned neighboring countries against complying with the measures, threatening reciprocal action.