Dubai-based airline Emirates says Iranian nationals barred from entering or transiting UAE

Emirates bars Iranian nationals from entering or transiting UAE, while Flydubai allows Golden Visa holders amid rising tensions between Iran and Gulf states.

Dubai-based carrier Emirates said on Wednesday that Iranian nationals are not allowed to enter or transit through the United Arab Emirates.

Gulf nations under massive attack.

The website of another carrier, Flydubai, said Iranian nationals holding a UAE “Golden Visa” are exempt from the restriction and are permitted to enter and transit the country.

The restrictions come amid heightened tensions between Iran and Gulf states. Follow LIVE updates here

Iran's repeated attacks on the UAE

Israel and the US launched joint strikes on Iran last month, triggering a war as Iran retaliated, and strikes have since been reported across the Middle East, including the UAE. After weeks of relatively limited action, missile and drone strikes have increased sharply in recent days. On Tuesday alone, nearly 50 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones were launched at the Emirates.

Tehran has warned it would target key civilian infrastructure in any Gulf country that supports moves to take control of its territory, and it specifically named the UAE.

UAE's Dubai, which has sold itself for decades as a safe bubble in the turbulent Middle East, has also been hit by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran and continues to intercept missiles and drones.

So far, Iran has launched close to 2,500 missiles and drones at the UAE, more than it has directed at any other country, including Israel. Despite this, the UAE, like other Gulf nations, had long avoided presenting itself as a direct participant in the conflict.

Will UAE join US' war effort against Iran?

The UAE is “willing” to join the US-Iran war, a move that could make it the first country from the Persian Gulf to take part directly in the conflict, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials.

Diplomats from the country have reportedly urged the US and military powers in Europe and Asia to join hands and form a coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The UAE believes that countries in Asia and Europe, which are currently cautious, may participate in clearing the strait if the UN Security Council approves, the report said.

Gulf officials said the country’s stance has now shifted. Before the war began on February 28, the UAE viewed Iran as a difficult neighbour, but one whose actions followed a certain logic, one official told the publication.

However, once the conflict started, officials said it exposed a very different side of the regime, which carried out strikes aimed at creating panic, including attacks on hotels and airports in Dubai.