Russia lifts flight restrictions in Iranian airspace, resuming UAE flights

The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviation, on Monday lifted flight restrictions in Iranian airspace, which had been imposed in response to the Middle East crisis.

The agency also authorized flights to and from the United Arab Emirates, which had also been restricted after the beginning of the US-Israel-Iran conflict.

"Rosaviatsia, taking into account the position of the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has canceled the recommendations for Russian airlines to suspend ticket sales for flights to/from the UAE. Restrictions on flights of Russian airlines through the airspace of Iran have also been lifted," the agency said in a statement.

Transit flights and flights to airports in Iran may be operated in strict compliance with all recommendations of the Iranian aviation authorities, it added.

"Specialists from the Ministry of Transport and Rosaviation continue to analyze the situation regarding the operation of civil aviation in the Middle East in order to make adjustments to Russian airlines' flights in the region if necessary. Safety is a priority," it said.

The announcement came amid renewed uncertainty over the US-Iran conflict despite a two-week ceasefire that is going to end on Wednesday.

Tensions escalated again over the weekend after US forces seized an Iranian cargo ship and Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, pushing oil prices higher and weighing on futures markets. Iran is also reviewing a US proposal.

Iran is also reviewing a US proposal delivered during a visit by Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, although Tehran has shown reluctance to send diplomats to Pakistan for a second round of peace talks.