UAE suspends all trade with Iran, halting billions in commerce
The United Arab Emirates halted all imports and exports with Iran, cutting off roughly $6 billion in exports and about a third of Iran's imports, intensifying economic pressure on Tehran.
The United Arab Emirates announced a complete suspension of trade with Iran, ending a commercial relationship that accounted for about 30% of Iran's imports and roughly $6 billion in Iranian exports to the Gulf state. The move follows a series of missile attacks that the Emirati government said prompted the decision.
Iran imported an estimated $14.8 billion worth of goods from the UAE during the first ten months of the 2025 fiscal year, including consumer electronics, food items and industrial equipment, while exporting around $6.5 billion in non-oil products, notably fuel oil, which made up about 70% of its sales to the UAE.
"If the Emirates cease trade and block dollar flows, it could have a crippling effect on the Iranian economy," said retired U.S. General Mark Kimmitt, a former assistant secretary of state.
U.S. Treasury officials have called for broader international compliance, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urging other nations to follow the UAE's lead and cut business ties with Tehran.
The suspension is expected to further strain Iran's economy, which has already been under pressure from U.S. sanctions and limited access to foreign currency.