Iraqi Airways resumes Najaf-Iran flights after US sanctions disruption

BAGHDAD, Sept 28: Iraqi Airways has resumed flights between Najaf International Airport and Iranian airports, Iraq’s state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported on Monday, after services were suspended last week amid new US sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector.

The resumption followed what INA described as “intensive efforts” by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. Iraqi Ambassador to Iran Yasser Abdul Zahra Al-Hajjaj had earlier said Najaf airport would resume receiving flights from Iran.

Iraq had suspended flights to and from Iran on Friday, along with restrictions affecting several Iraqi airports. Baghdad has been seeking exemptions from Washington to restore some civilian flights, particularly for medical treatment, education, religious visits and other civilian travel.

The disruption followed new US sanctions announced earlier this month targeting Iranian airlines and aviation-related entities. Several regional countries, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, have also restricted or suspended Iranian airline services amid the sanctions.