UAE halts Iranian flights as Trump's 'D-Day' sanctions take effect across the Middle East

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 September 2026.

The UAE has grounded Iranian flights after sweeping new US sanctions came into force, with the measures dubbed 'D-Day' sanctions by Washington. Saudi Arabia separately reported shooting down Houthi missiles on the same day the pressure campaign escalated. The twin developments mark a sharp intensification of Trump's economic squeeze on Iran.