Iranian flights to Gulf neighbors, including Dubai, have been canceled following the expiration of the U.S. deadline for global companies to cease cooperation with Iranian airlines. This action is part of a sanctions campaign that U.S. President Donald Trump has called "Economic Day X."
New U.S. Sanctions
The United States has set a September 23 deadline for global companies to refrain from doing business with Iranian airlines. The goal of these sanctions has been declared to completely ground Iran's civilian air fleet. Iran has recently threatened to respond harshly to any neighboring country that complies with these sanctions, rendering that country's airports "unusable."
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According to Iranian domestic media, all flights to the United Arab Emirates, the largest travel hub in the Gulf, have been canceled since midnight. On the websites of Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports, no flights to Iran are visible, and the websites of two Iranian airlines, Caspian and Varsh, have announced that UAE flights have been canceled. While Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran still has flights to countries such as Afghanistan, Armenia, China, Iraq, and Pakistan, no flights to Gulf neighboring countries are visible.
Situation in Yemen and Actions by Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, which is engaged in a fierce conflict with Houthi militants in Yemen, officials announced that they intercepted six ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis on Wednesday. Meanwhile, in recent months, the fighting in Yemen has significantly escalated, and the Houthis have once again opened fire towards Saudi Arabia.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia reported the interception of six Houthi missiles and issued emergency alerts to residents in various areas, including the holy city of Mecca, Jeddah, and Yanbu. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen stated that any escalation and violations by Houthi militants would be met with decisive responses.
Recent conflicts in Yemen, which have resulted in the deaths of over 700 people and thousands injured, have caused more than 130,000 Yemenis to be displaced within the country and over 3,000 to flee towards Africa. This situation comes as the Houthis have taken full control of Yemen's Red Sea coasts and are advancing into other areas.
The new U.S. measures and the ongoing conflict in Yemen could lead to increased isolation of Iran and further worsen the economic crisis in the country. Given that Iran is currently under severe U.S. sanctions, such measures could have even more negative impacts on the daily lives of Iranian citizens.
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