Emirates Wire | 25 September 2026
Good morning. Iran has reportedly sent Washington a proposal for a ceasefire lasting up to 60 days, tied to a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and wider negotiations.
Washington and Tehran remain far apart. Meanwhile, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority has suspended flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country until further notice.
Brent returned above $105 on Thursday, and the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted six Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at Taif and Yanbu. Closer to home, Abu Dhabi has extended a building-certification deadline, while the UAE leads its Gulf neighbours in a new electric-mobility index.
Iran puts forward ceasefire proposal
Regional sources briefed by mediators say Tehran’s proposal combines a region-wide ceasefire lasting up to 60 days with the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Negotiators would use the pause to pursue a wider settlement.
The proposal also calls for an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and a halt to attacks on Iran’s Arab neighbours. Washington has not publicly accepted the reported framework.
President Masoud Pezeshkian told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday that the Iranian people ‘will not bow to pressure’. He also defended Iran’s claim to shipping access through Hormuz.
Iran and the US held indirect talks through mediators in New York, their first known exchange of this kind in months. A senior Iranian official said afterwards that the two sides remained far apart.
A ceasefire and safer passage through Hormuz could help shipping recover before diplomats settle the conflict in full. Any benefit would depend on whether the ceasefire holds and shipowners are willing to return.
Alongside the negotiations, Washington is tightening restrictions on Iranian airlines. On Thursday, the UAE announced its response.
UAE suspends Iranian airline flights
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority suspended flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country on Thursday. The suspension will remain in place until further notice.
The announcement covers Iranian-operated flights, not a closure of all air links between the two countries. Passengers should check their carrier and flight directly.
The US Treasury sanctioned Iran’s remaining active airlines this month and warned foreign companies that doing business with them could cut those companies off from the global financial system. The restrictions expose companies that provide services such as fuel, landing support, ground handling and ticket sales.
Iran responded by warning neighbouring countries not to enforce the restrictions. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Iran would ensure that airports in countries stopping Iranian flights ‘cannot function’. He did not say what action Iran would take.
The suspension affects Iranian business travellers and passengers connecting through Dubai. Anyone booked on an Iranian carrier should contact the airline about rebooking or refunds before travelling to the airport.
The negotiations over Hormuz also helped shape Thursday’s oil trading. Traders weighed the lack of a settlement alongside a separate dispute over American diesel exports.
Brent returns above $105
The benchmark recovered from below $98 a barrel on Tuesday to above $106 during Thursday’s session. Negotiators had yet to announce an agreement that would reopen Hormuz.
The White House denied a report that it was preparing a 90-day ban on diesel exports. Energy Secretary Chris Wright also said nobody was considering a flat ban, although officials had discussed other ways to keep more diesel in the US.
For the UAE, higher prices could boost oil receipts, but the benefit depends on how much crude it can produce and export. A rise driven by supply disruptions can also raise costs for businesses and consumers.
The security of export routes remains part of that calculation. The latest missile interceptions in Saudi Arabia involved one of the kingdom’s alternatives to Hormuz.
Saudi coalition reports six interceptions
The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted and destroyed six Houthi ballistic missiles on Thursday, preventing attacks on Taif and Yanbu. Saudi Civil Defence issued brief alerts for several places, including Makkah, before lifting them minutes later.
Yanbu is the Red Sea outlet for Saudi Aramco’s East-West pipeline, Saudi Arabia’s principal route around the Strait of Hormuz. That makes it an important part of the kingdom’s attempt to maintain exports during the conflict.
The UAE has its own bypass through the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline. Further attacks on Yanbu could nevertheless disrupt Saudi exports and add to uncertainty about regional oil supplies.
Abu Dhabi has also updated the timetable for its building-safety programme. Affected owners now have longer to apply for an occupancy certificate.
Abu Dhabi extends certificate deadline
The Department of Municipalities and Transport has moved the deadline for building occupancy-certificate applications from 16 September to 30 November. Affected owners and real estate operators must apply through the Municipal e-Permitting System.
The certificate confirms that a building is safe to use and meets the relevant technical and regulatory standards. Requirements include structural assessments and checks covering fire safety, gas systems, plumbing and ventilation.
Owners who miss the applicable deadline may face fines of up to Dh1 million and orders to correct violations. Under the department’s published guidance, those who have begun formal procedures receive an additional six months, or another period approved by the Urban Planning and Permits Centre, to complete the technical and regulatory work.
Owners should check whether their property falls within the programme's current phase and confirm their completion deadline with the municipality. The extension gives more time to apply; it does not remove the inspection requirements.
The day’s transport news also includes a new assessment of the UAE’s electric-vehicle market. It offers some useful context for residents considering their next car.
UAE leads Gulf electric-mobility index
Arthur D. Little’s 2026 Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index places the UAE first among Gulf Cooperation Council markets and 22nd among the 31 markets assessed. It gives the UAE a score of 53.
The report puts electric vehicles at about 9% of new-vehicle sales in the UAE in 2025, covering battery-electric cars and plug-in hybrids. It records roughly 2,800 charging points nationwide.
The index measures more than the number of chargers. It also considers customer readiness, regulation and the cost of ownership.
For anyone considering an electric car, start with where you will charge it. Check access at home or work and the chargers on your regular routes before treating a national ranking as a guide to daily convenience.
What to watch
Whether Washington and Tehran agree to another round of talks or any part of the ceasefire proposal.
The effect of the UAE suspension on passengers, Iranian carriers and companies that service their aircraft.
Any Iranian response to neighbouring countries that enforce the US restrictions.
Further Houthi attacks on Yanbu or other Saudi infrastructure.
Brent’s reaction to any movement on Hormuz over the weekend.
Updates on Etihad Rail’s planned 30 September start from Dubai Al Yalayis, including whether the footbridge to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro station will be ready.
That is enough uncertainty for one Friday morning.
Have a good weekend. We’ll share our Saturday essay tomorrow, and the newsletter will be back on Monday.
Steve
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