TEHRAN – Iran said on Wednesday that direct cargo shipping from the United Arab Emirates had resumed after weeks of disruption caused by regional conflict, signalling a return to normal commercial activity between the two countries and offering the latest indication that Gulf trade routes are gradually recovering.
Ali Emami, Director-General of Logistics and Support at Iran’s Trade Development Organisation, said goods were once again being transported directly between the UAE and Iran following a temporary suspension linked to regional tensions.
“Cargo shipping routes from the UAE to Iran have resumed directly, and goods transport operations are now being carried out directly,” Emami said, according to Iran’s Mehr News Agency.
“Trade relations have returned to normal, and direct cargo shipments from the UAE to Iran have resumed,” he added.
There was no immediate confirmation from Emirati authorities.
The resumption of direct shipping follows signs of a broader recovery in transport links between the two countries after months of disruption triggered by the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Earlier this week, Emirati media reported that Dubai International Airport had received a direct commercial flight from Tehran, with a return service departing later the same day, marking the first scheduled passenger connection since flights were suspended during the regional crisis.
Iranian state media also reported in recent days that commercial exchanges through Jebel Ali Port in Dubai had resumed and that regular passenger flights between the two countries would restart in the coming days as part of efforts to restore economic ties.
The reopening of cargo routes through Jebel Ali is particularly significant for Iran because the port serves as one of the region’s largest logistics and transhipment hubs and remains a critical gateway for Iranian imports and exports.
For years, Dubai has functioned as one of Iran’s principal commercial partners despite international sanctions, with many goods entering Iran through re-export operations handled by companies based in the emirate.
Regional shipping had been disrupted after heightened military tensions raised security concerns across Gulf waterways, affecting maritime traffic and supply chains serving one of the world’s busiest trading corridors.
The return of direct cargo services is expected to ease logistical bottlenecks and improve the movement of commercial goods between Iranian businesses and suppliers in the UAE.
Analysts say economic relations between Tehran and Abu Dhabi have long been characterised by pragmatism, with commercial interests often continuing despite periods of political and security tension.
The UAE has remained one of Iran’s most important regional trading partners, although bilateral commerce has periodically been affected by sanctions, regional instability and military escalation.
The latest developments suggest both sides are seeking to restore economic channels as security conditions stabilise, reinforcing the importance of trade links that underpin commercial activity across the Gulf.