UAE suspends flights by Iranian air carriers until further notice

The United Arab Emirates on Thursday suspended flights by Iranian air carriers to and from the country until further notice, according to the state-run WAM news agency.

The General Civil Aviation Authority said the decision took effect on Thursday, Sept. 24.

In a statement carried by WAM, the authority said that “the decision was made in light of the US ban imposed on Iranian airlines from using airports in various countries around the world.”

The authority said it will continue to update relevant authorities and the public on any developments until air traffic between the UAE and Iran returns to normal.

It also urged the public to rely only on official sources for information.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that Iranian airlines’ operations worldwide would come to a halt as of Sept. 23 as part of sanctions imposed on Iran.

Following the US sanctions decision, flights between Iran and Iraq, as well as between Iran and Oman, were canceled on Sept. 23, according to Iranian media.

On Feb. 28, the US and Israel launched a war against Iran that left thousands dead, while Tehran responded with attacks on Israel and US sites in countries across the region.

The US later carried out additional attacks on sites in Iran amid a deadlock in negotiations between Tehran and Washington, despite the two sides signing a memorandum of understanding in mid-June.

The talks have since stalled over disagreements concerning navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important strategic routes for energy and goods supplies.