US sanctions leave Iranians facing flight cancellations and soaring costs

New US sanctions targeting Iranian airlines and foreign companies serving them have disrupted Iran’s air links. Since direct flights between Iran and the United Arab Emirates were suspended, a trip from Tehran to Dubai that took less than three hours and cost $100 to $200 in late September can now take up to 18 hours and cost more than $1,000. Washington has sanctioned 27 airlines operating in Iran and threatened airports, fuel suppliers and ground handlers working with them with secondary sanctions. On September 24, a flight from Tehran to Dushanbe was forced to turn back after it was denied permission to continue.