Iraq seeks US sanctions exemption for Iranian flights

Iraq is engaged in direct negotiations with the United States to seek an exemption for some of its airports from US Treasury Department measures imposed on Iranian airlines operating in the region. Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi's office stated that the talks aim to restore flights for humanitarian purposes, including medical treatment, education, religious visits, and other civilian interests.

The government is working to de-escalate tensions in the region, warning that prolonged crises would exacerbate the situation. They urged all parties to engage in dialogue and negotiations to resolve the ongoing conflicts and crises in a manner that benefits countries and peoples across the region.

As fighting intensifies in Yemen and ceasefire efforts hit a standstill, Washington has intensified its economic pressure on Iran through secondary sanctions targeting foreign companies that conduct business with Iranian firms. The sanctions are part of the US strategy to isolate Iran economically and compel concessions in the ongoing conflict.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Monday that companies dealing with Iranian airlines would be severed from the dollar system. Iranian airlines were barred from flying to neighboring countries such as the UAE, Oman, and Iraq due to new US sanctions, marking the first significant impact of the measure.

The prolonged flight ban could further isolate Iran and worsen an already dire economic crisis, exacerbated by a US blockade of its seaports. Iran reacted sharply on Friday after the US imposed sanctions on air travel, which halted flights to Najaf, a holy city for Shiite Muslims in Iraq. The Iranian Civil Aviation Organisation announced the suspension of ticket sales to Najaf, reflecting the impact of the US sanctions that are spreading across the Middle East.

An Iranian consulate in the city expressed outrage, questioning why Iraq's Najaf International Airport, which houses the shrine of the first Shiite Imam and the capital of the Prophet Muhammad's last descendant, is closed to Iran's largest Shiite country.