The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has released billions of dollars in Iranian assets held in its banks and helped transfer gold and passenger aircraft to Iran as fighting between Tehran and Washington intensifies, according to several sources in Tehran familiar with the transfers.
The assets released include around 2 tonnes of gold valued at about $283 million, the sources said. The transfers are being described as part of Abu Dhabi’s efforts to persuade Iran not to target the UAE during hostilities between Iran and the United States.
The latest movement of assets reportedly took place through flights between the UAE and Iran on August 11 and 12. The aircraft used for the transfers was a Boeing 737-7KK with registration A6-RJA, operated by the UAE Royal Jet.
The aircraft flew from Abu Dhabi to Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport and Karaj’s Payam Airport on August 11 and 12. On each trip, it spent around an hour at the Iranian airport before flying back to the UAE.
The latest movement of assets reportedly took place through flights between the UAE and Iran on August 11 and 12. The aircraft used for the transfers was a Boeing 737-7KK with registration A6-RJA, operated by the UAE Royal Jet.
The aircraft flew from Abu Dhabi to Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport and Karaj’s Payam Airport on August 11 and 12. On each trip, it spent around an hour at the Iranian airport before flying back to the UAE.
The aircraft transfers are important for Iran’s commercial aviation sector, which has faced years of restrictions on acquiring and maintaining modern passenger aircraft. The reported deals come after Iranian airlines lost more than 30 passenger aircraft during US and Israeli attacks carried out as part of Operation Epic Fury and Lion’s Roar.
More planes expected to reach Iran
The UAE-backed aircraft transfers are expected to continue. Sources in Iran said another 14 passenger aircraft are set to arrive in the country with the help of Emirati companies.
Satellite imagery has also shown two Airbus A320-212 aircraft, identified as C9-ACE and C9-ACF, at George Enescu International Airport in Romania shortly before their transfer to Iran with assistance from the UAE government.
The aircraft movement gives Tehran another way to rebuild part of its damaged passenger fleet after the recent attacks.
UAE seeks to stay out of Iran conflict
The reported transfers offer a different picture of the UAE’s approach to Iran from some claims circulating on social media, where the Emirati government has been portrayed as taking a tougher position towards Tehran.
Sources in Tehran said UAE officials have been working to convince Iran not to target the country during the fighting between Iran and the United States.
The release of Iranian funds, transfer of gold and facilitation of passenger aircraft deals are being described by the sources as part of that effort.
The UAE has close economic and commercial relations with Iran and has also maintained channels for dealing with Tehran despite years of tension between Iran and the United States. Any direct attack on Emirati territory could seriously damage those ties and create risks for trade and aviation in the Gulf.
The reported moves therefore point to an effort by Abu Dhabi to use financial and commercial measures to keep its territory away from the conflict as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue.
