UAE bans all Iranian nationals from entry and transit — Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai announce restriction

The United Arab Emirates has banned Iranian nationals from entering or transiting through the country, Emirates airline's website stated on Wednesday April 1, 'Nationals of Iran are not allowed to enter and transit.' Etihad and FlyDubai carried equivalent announcements; FlyDubai noted that holders of UAE Golden Visas are exempt and permitted to travel. The ban was reported across multiple sources including Reuters, the Guardian, AP, and Indian outlets quoting PTI. The ban is a watershed moment in UAE-Iran relations during the conflict. The UAE has a large Iranian diaspora, hosts significant Iranian business interests, and has historically tried to maintain quiet economic ties with Tehran even as it cooperates militarily with the US. Announcing a blanket entry ban signals the UAE has definitively aligned with the US-led coalition posture and is willing to absorb Iranian economic retaliation. It comes as Iran has targeted UAE infrastructure repeatedly — strikes on Dubai port facilities, Thuraya telecommunications, and Gulf energy assets — and as the IRGC's April 1 corporate threat deadline against 18 US companies (several with UAE operations) looms at 16:30 UTC.