Ports, shipping, aviation cargo, warehousing and trade
Israeli authorities have announced a comprehensive closure of the occupied West Bank from September 27 through October 3 for Sukkot. Checkpoints and crossings into Jerusalem and Israel are sealed under tightened military restrictions. The measures restrict civilian transit and access to holy sites.
Chinese autonomous vehicle developers are expanding commercial operations in Dubai to align with the emirate's goal of making 25 percent of transport trips driverless by 2030. Baidu's Apollo Go launched commercial services in March, WeRide has deployed over 200 vehicles in the region, and Pony.ai plans to begin commercial robotaxi services later this year.
British Airways announced it will resume scheduled flights to Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv starting October 25. Direct passenger flights between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv have reopened for booking. The airline had previously suspended services across Middle East destinations including Tel Aviv, Dubai, Amman, and Bahrain.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that international pressure has deepened Iran's economic isolation, citing UAE flight suspensions and regional bank restrictions. The Central Bank of the UAE has barred local branches of Bank Melli Iran from conducting trade finance and fund transfers with Iran over compliance violations. Neighboring nations including Türkiye and Oman have also curtailed Iranian banking and aviation access following US diplomatic engagement.
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