UAE suspends all Iranian airline flights amid new US aviation sanctions

On Thursday, the United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority ordered an immediate stop to all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the UAE, citing compliance with recent United States sanctions on Iran’s aviation sector. The decision mirrors actions taken by Oman, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkmenistan, which have also limited Iranian air services. The US Treasury’s sanctions target 27 Iranian airlines and numerous support companies, warning that any airport or service aiding them could lose access to the US dollar system.

An Iran Airtour flight bound for Dubai was cancelled just before take-off, and Turkmenistan forced a Tehran-Dushanbe flight to turn back. Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization spokesman Majid Akhavan said diplomatic and aviation discussions are under way to restore the routes.