More than 200 refrigerated containers carrying Iranian fruit, vegetables and agricultural products have been returned from the UAE, affecting around 4,000 tonnes of goods worth an estimated $3 million, according to Iranian agricultural officials. UAE authorities have not yet commented on the reason for the move.

Reza Nourani, chairman of Iran’s National Union of Agricultural Products, said the shipments were not permitted to be unloaded or enter the market after arriving in the UAE and were sent back to Iran. He said Iranian exporters had not yet been officially informed of the reason for the decision.

The news was first reported by Iranian media and was subsequently picked up by several Arabic- and English-language outlets in the region. However, reports by non-Persian media have largely cited statements from the Iranian side, and there has been no independent confirmation from UAE authorities or institutions regarding the number of containers or the reason they were returned.

The development comes after the UAE announced on August 19 that it would suspend all commercial activities and financial transactions with Iran until further notice. Despite the decision, reports from the following weeks indicated that some Iranian agricultural products were still reaching the Dubai market.

For example, a report from Dubai’s fruit and vegetable market on September 15 indicated that Iranian products including watermelons, tomatoes, courgettes and broccoli remained available, while traders reported the arrival of some new shipments from Iran.

It remains unclear whether the return of the latest shipment of more than 200 containers is linked to stricter enforcement of the UAE’s decision to suspend trade with Iran or whether other factors were involved. No evidence or official statement has been released linking the move to health concerns, product quality or pesticide residues.