Story perspectives

Iraq Restarts Iran Flights at Najaf After Sanctions Waiver

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 11:21 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Iraq Allows Iranian Flights

Iraq permits all Iranian airlines except Mahan Air to run up to 40 daily flights at Najaf International Airport.
The decision follows a one-week halt of Iran flights to obey U.S. sanctions.
U.S. Treasury issued a one-month waiver for pilgrim flights on 2 October 2026.
Officials say the exemption will help pilgrims, patients and tourists.
Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein says the flights strengthen Iraq-U.S. ties despite the U.S. ban on Mahan Air.

Summary

Protesters Demand Flights

US Treasury’s “Operation Economic Outcast” sanctioned 36 aviation-related entities, threatening secondary penalties.
Ground-handling firms halted services on Iran routes because of fear of secondary U.S. sanctions.
Flights at Baghdad, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah airports remain suspended, forcing 12-hour road journeys.
Iranian consulate in Najaf posted on X condemning the closure as “shutting the largest Shiite country out.”
Protesters gathered in Najaf, Nasiriya, Karbala and Amarah demanding restoration of Iran-Iraq flights.

History

Historical Context

In May 2018 the United States withdrew from the JCPOA and re-imposed sanctions, with OFAC targeting ten Iranian airlines, grounding flights and freezing about $1.7 billion in aviation assets. The bans extend a U.S. embargo that also prohibits aircraft sales to Iran. Today Iraq permits all Iranian carriers except Mahan Air at Najaf International, echoing the 2018 crackdown as Treasury’s Operation Economic Outcast threatens secondary penalties.

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Iraq Allows Iranian Flights

Iraq permits all Iranian airlines except Mahan Air to run up to 40 daily flights at Najaf International Airport.
The decision follows a one-week halt of Iran flights to obey U.S. sanctions.
U.S. Treasury issued a one-month waiver for pilgrim flights on 2 October 2026.
Officials say the exemption will help pilgrims, patients and tourists.
Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein says the flights strengthen Iraq-U.S. ties despite the U.S. ban on Mahan Air.

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