Iraq and US Reach Agreement, Allowing Iranian Airlines to Fly to Holy City of Najaf
The United States has granted a sanctions waiver for Iranian airlines to operate within Iraqi territory. A number of Iranian carriers are now permitted to fly routes destined for the holy city of Najaf in Iraq.
According to reports, this policy follows an agreement reached between the Iraqi government and the US regarding the operation of Iranian airlines to Najaf on Friday. Under the agreement, a total of 40 Iranian airline flights will operate to Najaf daily.
The Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office stated that Baghdad has reached an agreement that allows Iranian airlines, with the exception of Mahan Air, to operate 40 daily flights to and from Najaf. The city is a known holy site for Shia Muslims.
The US announced a series of extensive new sanctions against Iranian airlines last month as part of efforts to pressure Tehran’s economy. Last week, Najaf airport suspended all Iranian flights in compliance with these sanctions, forcing travellers to seek difficult alternative routes.
A few days later, the US provided a specific waiver to Iraqi Airways, the national carrier of Iraq, to allow its flights to continue.
Sources at the airport indicated that the exception applies to pilgrim travel, while the Ministry of Transport stated that flights are set to commence in October.
In its statement, the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office welcomed the “positive response from the US government” and stated that this new special permission will “facilitate the movement of pilgrims and travellers, particularly those travelling for medical purposes, religious visits, and tourism.”
Earlier this week, the implementation of US sanctions appeared inconsistent. China and Russia ignored the sanctions, while Turkey permitted Iran Air—but not Mahan Air—to fly to Istanbul. The United Arab Emirates, which hosts a large Iranian community, suspended all flights.
When announcing the sanctions, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated he would “halt the operations” of Iranian airlines and had dispatched envoys worldwide to pressure other nations to isolate Iran.