Exclusive-US to grant sanctions waiver for flights between Iran and Iraq's Najaf, source says
By Timour Azhari and Ahmed Rasheed Sept 28 (Reuters) - US President Donald Trump's administration was set to grant a limited waiver to its Iran sanctions program on Monday to allow for flights carrying Shi'ite Muslim religious pilgrims between Iran and Iraq, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said. The source, who is involved in the deliberations, said the US Treasury Department waiver…
The US administration is set to grant a limited waiver to its Iran sanctions program, allowing flights between Iran and Iraq's holy city of Najaf. According to a source with direct knowledge of the matter, the US Treasury Department waiver will permit Iraqi Airways to fly back and forth between Iran and Najaf for one month, with a more permanent waiver potentially following.
Iraq had previously halted flights to and from Iran on Friday, in line with US sanctions, as reported by the South China Morning Post. The move aimed to ease pressure on the Iraqi government, which has sought to deepen ties with Washington while balancing a strong relationship with Iran.
Flights between Iran and Najaf have resumed, as reported by Iraq's state news agency, cited by Middle East Eye. The waiver allows for flights carrying Shi'ite Muslim religious pilgrims between the two countries.
Brief written by urgent.news from Al-Monitor, South China Morning Post, Jerusalem Post, Middle East Eye, FXStreet — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
