Cancellation of Iranian flights to the UAE and decline in oil prices

Iranian media reported on Thursday that Iranian airlines were banned from operating flights to the United Arab Emirates in light of the aforementioned country’s commitment to US sanctions. The Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported that “all flights operated by Iranian airlines to the United Arab Emirates have been canceled since midnight.”

A passenger told Agence France-Presse that an Iran Air flight heading from Tehran to Dubai was canceled shortly before its scheduled departure in the morning. Dubai is the most prominent destination in the Middle East for Iranian airlines, which used to fly daily flights to it.

Dubai Airport was also considered one of the most prominent stops for Iranians traveling to Europe, Asia and Africa, and a final destination for many businessmen coming from Iran. Currently, Türkiye is the most suitable option for Iranians wishing to leave or return to their country.

In early September, the United States imposed sanctions on the entire Iranian aviation sector, vowing not to be lenient with foreign companies that provide it with assistance. These companies were given until September 23 to comply, by stopping supplying kerosene fuel to Iranian aircraft, for example.

Failure to comply with the US ban exposes these companies to the risk of being blacklisted, thus isolating them from the dollar financial system.

Oil prices fell today, Thursday (September 24, 2026), after rising by four percent during the previous session, at a time when Iran announced that it was still open to diplomacy to end the war with the United States. Brent crude futures fell 94 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $102.13 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 59 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $91.56.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday that the positions of Iran and the United States are still far apart on how to end the war, but diplomatic efforts must continue, after the Iranian president stated before the United Nations General Assembly that Tehran will never yield to American pressure.

The official added that Tehran is studying Washington's response to its proposals to end the war. The proposals focus on lifting the US naval blockade on Iranian ports and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The official said that reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the naval blockade imposed by Washington on Iran were discussed during indirect talks on Tuesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said that the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened unless Iran's conditions are met. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Wednesday that reaching an agreement with Iran will require hard work over a period of time, adding that Trump also has military options.