Iraq seeks US exemption after airports halt Iranian flights

Iraq is seeking a US exemption that would allow some Iranian flights to resume after airports in Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah suspended service to and from Iran amid new US aviation sanctions.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s office said exemptions would permit flights on humanitarian grounds, including medical treatment, education, religious visits and other civilian needs. Baghdad said it was in direct talks with Washington and urged dialogue to reduce regional tensions.

The United States recently expanded sanctions against Iranian airlines and companies providing services such as ground handling, ticketing and airport support. Although Washington cannot directly require foreign airports to reject Iranian aircraft, companies that continue serving sanctioned carriers risk losing access to the US financial system.

Flight disruptions have also affected Iranian routes to Oman, Azerbaijan and Georgia, according to Deutsche Welle. Turkmenistan denied an Iranian aircraft permission to cross its airspace on September 24, forcing it to return to Tehran.

The Iraqi suspensions prompted demonstrations in Baghdad and a vigil by scholars and students from Najaf’s Shia seminary. Iraq’s ambassador to Tehran, Yasser al-Hajjaj, described the disruption as temporary and said officials were working to restore normal air traffic.

Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, responded with an ultimatum that regional flights should be available “for all or for none,” according to multiple reports. Passengers affected by the Iraqi suspensions have faced land journeys lasting at least 12 hours.