UAE bars Iranian airlines as US sanctions squeeze Iran’s aviation sector

The United Arab Emirates has halted all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country, following a decision by the General Civil Aviation Authority, in response to US sanctions aimed at isolating Iran’s aviation sector. The move comes after the UAE’s central bank blocked transactions with Iran’s Bank Melli, and several countries including Oman, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkmenistan have restricted or suspended access for Iranian airlines. An Iran Airtour flight from Tehran to Dubai was canceled shortly before departure despite tickets being purchased.