Iraqi Airways has resumed flights between Najaf and Iranian airports after services were suspended over fears that United States secondary sanctions could affect aviation companies operating routes linked to Tehran.
The flights restarted on Monday from the central Iraqi province, along with the return of services at three other Iraqi airports. The move enables Iraq’s flag carrier to operate despite concerns among international contractors responsible for handling Iranian-linked flights.
Iran challenges aviation sanctions
Iran has lodged a formal complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) over the US measures, according to Iranian state media.
Abuzar Shiroudi, head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation, said officials were working with the Foreign Ministry to restore flights through legal channels. He also said the ICAO had ruled in Iran’s favour over Tehran’s formal protest against the aviation sanctions.
US sanctions on Iranian airlines came into force on September 23. They put foreign airports and companies providing services to sanctioned Iranian carriers at risk of secondary sanctions, although Iranian aviation has not been grounded entirely.
Iranian officials are also seeking explanations through diplomatic channels from several countries over the suspension of flight routes. Airports in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraq, Oman and the United Arab Emirates have recently cancelled services operated by Iranian airlines.
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that flights to East Asia were continuing without cancellations, citing the chief executive of Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport.
Mr Shiroudi also said Iran had filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice in The Hague over attacks on airports, aircraft and radar systems. The case remains under review, and any compensation will depend on the court’s final ruling.
