The United Arab Emirates has halted flights operated by Iranian airlines, joining several other countries in adopting United States sanctions aimed at pressuring TehranâÂÂs aviation sector.
On Thursday, a statement carried by the Emirati WAM news agency said, âÂÂThe General Civil Aviation Authority announced the suspension of all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the UAE.âÂÂ
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It said the decision was âÂÂbased on the US sanctions imposed on Iranian airlines preventing them from using airports around the worldâÂÂ.
The UAE has joined Oman, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkmenistan in restricting or suspending access for Iranian airlines amid the new US sanctions threat.
Dubai, the UAEâÂÂs commercial hub, is a major destination for Iranian carriers, with multiple daily flights, a large Iranian community and close business links.
An Iran Airtour flight from Tehran to Dubai was cancelled shortly before its scheduled departure on Thursday morning, after tickets had already been issued, according to the AFP news agency.
The UAE, which was repeatedly hit by Iranian missiles and drones throughout the US-Israel war on Iran, suspended trade and financial exchanges with Iran last month.
On Wednesday, the UAEâÂÂs central bank blocked transactions involving IranâÂÂs Bank Melli, claiming the financial institution had violated rules on money laundering, terrorism and arms proliferation.
The US Treasury announced sweeping sanctions on IranâÂÂs aviation sector earlier this month, targeting 27 airlines and dozens of companies that support them. The measures aim to cut off IranâÂÂs air links entirely, warning that any airport or company still servicing Iranian carriers risks being cut off from the US dollar system.
IranâÂÂs Civil Aviation Organization spokesman Majid Akhavan said: âÂÂDiplomatic and aviation talks are under way to remove the restrictions and restore flightsâ to the UAE.
Akhavan added that Turkmenistan also turned back a flight from Tehran to Dushanbe on Thursday.
âÂÂTurkmenistanâÂÂs refusal to allow the Iranian aircraft to pass through its airspace meant the flight could not continue on its route and had to return,â Akhavan told the Iranian IRNA news agency.
Several smaller Iranian airlines continue flying to China and Armenia, both of which have resisted US pressure, while routes to Turkiye remain open for some carriers.