Iraqi Airways to resume Iran flights amid US sanctions pressure

Iraqi Airways plans to resume flights to Iran in October, according to the Iraqi Transport Ministry. The decision comes after Iraq halted flights to Iran in early March, following an escalation of the Iran war. The Ministry stated that ground-handling companies ceased servicing the routes due to fears of US sanctions. Despite this, the US Treasury has granted Iraqi Airways a sanctions waiver for flights between Najaf International Airport and Iranian airports. However, there is no confirmation from Washington on this waiver.

The US has intensified its economic pressure on Iran through secondary sanctions on foreign companies that deal with Iranian firms. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that such companies will be "knocked out of the dollar system." This aggressive stance has angered Iran-aligned factions and political parties in Iraq. They staged protests and threatened sit-ins at Iraqi airports until flights to Iran resumed.

Kataib Hezbollah called on Iraqis to break what they termed the "US siege" on Iran, while Al Nujaba accused Baghdad of surrendering to Washington and letting the US dictate its Iran policy.

The flight ban has impacted neighboring countries as well, including the UAE, Oman, and Iraq. A prolonged ban could exacerbate Iran's isolation and worsen an economic crisis exacerbated by a US blockade of its ports. Iran has also responded to the broader restrictions, warning that if flights and airport services are denied, no country in the region will have them.