Iraq has approved up to 40 daily flights between Iran and Najaf for Iranian airlines, with the exception of Mahan Air, after Baghdad said Washington had granted a sanctions exemption.
The agreement was announced by the office of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi following negotiations with the United States and a request from Tehran to restore services. Iranian authorities had said the restrictions were affecting pilgrims, patients, students and business travellers.
Mr al-Zaidi welcomed what he described as a “positive response shown by the US government to Iraq’s efforts and its cooperation in granting the necessary exemption”.
“Air travel does not merely represent transportation between two airports, but rather a bridge of communication between peoples,” his office said.
Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said the resumption of flights supported an Iraqi-US partnership based on mutual respect. He also welcomed what he called Washington’s understanding of the importance of religious freedom and access to holy sites.
Najaf flights resume
Flights between Najaf and Iran restarted late on Monday, according to the Iraqi News Agency, easing a disruption that had halted services at four Iraqi airports.
Najaf is the main destination for Iranian flights to Iraq, serving people travelling to religious sites in both countries. Before the suspension, Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad said there were about 25 daily flights from Iran to Najaf and roughly 15 to Baghdad.
He said Iranian airlines carried between 12,000 and 13,000 people between the two countries each day.
The United States Treasury imposed sanctions last month on 36 entities linked to Iran’s aviation sector. Foreign ground-handling companies subsequently declined to service Iranian aircraft, fearing they could breach the restrictions.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned Washington’s “illegal and inhumane” extraterritorial enforcement of sanctions, saying it was disrupting the country’s trade and air transport.
Restrictions remain at other Iraqi airports
Flights involving Iran remain suspended at Baghdad, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah airports, leaving some passengers facing land journeys of at least 12 hours and disrupting pilgrim travel.
The suspension prompted demonstrations outside Najaf airport and in Nasiriya, Karbala and Amarah. Iraq’s ambassador to Tehran said Baghdad had not ordered the halt in flights.
The latest agreement therefore restores access through Najaf while leaving restrictions in place at three other Iraqi airports. Mahan Air is excluded from the arrangement.
