UAE government-linked jet lands in Tehran as regional tensions rise

UAE government-linked aircraft touched down in Tehran on Monday for the second time within days, raising concerns that the US might resume attacks on Iran and trigger additional strikes in the Gulf region. The Boeing 737 operated by Royal Jet, a private charter company owned by the UAE government, arrived in Tehran from Abu Dhabi, according to open-source intelligence analysts.

The same flight path was utilized on Saturday as well. The recent flights occur at a time when the risk of a full-scale conflict between the US and Iran looms large. On Sunday, the US State Department cautioned American citizens across the Middle East, urging them to stay vigilant about airport and airline operations, and to devise contingency plans, as Iran and groups allied with Iran could potentially target other US interests overseas.

The UAE had been one of the most aggressive Gulf nations towards Iran following the February 2026 US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The UAE participated in the US and Israel's hundred of airstrikes against Iran and also attempted to obstruct mediation efforts from Pakistan.