UAE lifts war-related travel ban on Lebanon but Iran ban remains

What happened

The New Arab reports that the United Arab Emirates has ended its travel ban on Lebanon for Emirati nationals, effective from 29 June 2026, after imposing the restriction in April due to the Middle East war and concerns over Iranian influence in the region. However, the travel ban on Iran remains in effect. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires all citizens intending to visit Lebanon to register via an official emergency and support platform before departure.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure or battlefield claim should be read as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source. The April ban also extended to travel to Iraq and Iran, with the UAE urging nationals to leave these countries immediately. The recent lifting of the Lebanon ban follows a phone call between UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation and supporting peace efforts across the region.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the decision, describing it as a sign of renewed Emirati confidence in Lebanon and a commitment to strengthening fraternal ties. It comes amid heightened regional tensions triggered by the February US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliation which affected Gulf states, including the UAE.

Known from the source

• The UAE banned travel to Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran in April 2026 linked to the Middle East war and Iranian influence concerns.
• On 29 June 2026, the UAE lifted the travel ban on Lebanon but maintained the bans on Iran and Iraq.
• The UAE requires citizens traveling to Lebanon to register through a Foreign Ministry platform before departure.
• Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam publicly thanked the UAE for lifting the ban, emphasizing strong bilateral ties.
• Flights between Tehran and Dubai resumed on 29 June 2026, although UAE nationals remain banned from traveling to Iran.

What remains unclear

The Gulf state's continuing travel ban on Iran and Iraq underscores ongoing caution given Tehran's regional influence and involvement in the conflict. Meanwhile, direct flights between Tehran and Dubai resumed on the same day the Lebanon ban was lifted, as reported by Iranian state media, although UAE nationals are not yet permitted to travel to Iran.

What remains unclear: Verify the current travel ban status on Iraq as the source is less explicit about the Iraq ban lifting or continuation. Confirm the official process and enforcement details for UAE citizens registering before travel to Lebanon. Check for any official UAE statements or updated policy texts to corroborate timing and scope of the travel ban lifts. Ensure no subsequent developments altered the travel or security policies after 29 June 2026.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has treated the source material as confirmed within the supplied source context, while retaining attribution to the original publisher.

Original source: The New Arab. Open the source.