UAE Implements Entry Restrictions on Iranian Nationals Amid Regional Tensions

The United Arab Emirates has implemented new restrictions on Iranian nationals entering or transiting through the country. These measures were introduced quietly this week, primarily affecting Iranians without specific long-term residency visas. According to information posted on the websites of state-owned airlines Emirates, FlyDubai, and Etihad, exemptions apply only to those holding residency visas for business or property ownership, skilled professionals, and immediate family members of Emirati citizens. The UAE foreign ministry issued a statement on Thursday aiming to reassure residents, emphasizing that its procedures follow established frameworks to ensure safety and well-being for all. The restrictions became widely known through social media rather than official announcements, causing concern within the Iranian expatriate community, which numbers over half a million in the UAE. Many Iranians in the UAE have connections to ruling elites in Tehran. The move is seen as part of broader efforts to address regional security concerns, though the UAE has avoided more overt actions that might escalate tensions beyond defensive measures.