Iraq and UAE suspend flights to and from Iran as US sanctions tighten

Iraq and the UAE have suspended flights to and from Iran as US sanctions tighten on Iranian aviation.

• Iraq's Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Najaf airports suspended flights to and from Iran, effective Friday.
• The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority suspended Iranian airlines' flights to and from the state until further notice, citing the US ban.
• Iran's Isna news agency announced the cancellation of all Iranian airlines' flights to the UAE.
• The UAE central bank barred an Iranian bank and its branches from conducting financial transactions with Iran.
• Iran's Civil Aviation Organization halted ticket sales for flights to Iraq until further notice.
• The suspension of direct civil aviation between the two countries followed US pressure on Iran's aviation sector.
• Baghdad airport also suspended flights to and from Iran, following a directive from the Iraqi prime minister's office.
• The US campaign against Iranian aviation is called Operation Economic Outcast, launched in August to isolate Iran economically.
• Passengers faced overland journeys of at least 12 hours after the suspension of flights.