US allows flights between Iraq’s holy city and Iran

Baghdad, Iraq - The United States has granted Iraq's national airline, Iraqi Airways, a sanctions waiver, permitting it to resume flights to Iran, according to a statement from the country's transport ministry. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Transport Minister Wahb al-Hasani reportedly secured this special exemption for Iraqi Airways to operate flights to Iran, primarily serving pilgrims traveling between Iran and Iraq's holy city of Najaf.

The exemption is set to commence in October, once the required organizational arrangements are in place.

The transport ministry announced that flights would initially depart from Najaf, pending the fulfillment of necessary organizational prerequisites. Iraq had been in discussions with the US to seek an exemption after sanctions on Iran's aviation sector became effective. Flights between Iraq and Iran primarily transport Iraqi Shia pilgrims to Iran's holy sites, Iranians to sacred locations in Iraq, Iraqi students attending institutions in Iran, and patients in need of medical care in the Islamic Republic.

Iraq, along with other nations such as the United Arab Emirates, has been adhering to the US ban on Iranian airlines, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had directed envoys to apply economic pressure on Iran. Bessent's actions came after he announced on Saturday the initiation of sanctions targeting Iran's airlines and banks, aiming to isolate the country economically.

Prior to the ban, Iranian airlines had ceased operating flights to Iran on September 23, and Iraqi Airways had halted its services to Iran in March, following the onset of the Middle East conflict, to ensure the safety of flights and passengers.