Iran has called on Iraq to remove remaining aviation restrictions tied to United States sanctions and fully reinstate normal air travel between the two nations. The appeal comes even as flights between Najaf and Iran partially resumed earlier in the week.
In a statement issued Thursday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned Washington’s actions as “illegal and inhumane,” specifically criticizing the extraterritorial enforcement of sanctions that it claims disrupts trade and air transport. Tehran urged Baghdad to eliminate these curbs, arguing that the movement of millions of citizens requires an independent and responsible approach to bilateral disagreements.
According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency, flights between Najaf and Iran restarted late Monday following what it described as “diligent efforts” by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. However, Iraq’s ambassador to Iran, Yasser Abdulzahra al-Hajjaj, clarified that Baghdad had not officially decided to suspend Iranian flights. Instead, foreign ground-handling companies have refused to provide services due to fears of triggering US penalties.
As a result, flights remain suspended at Baghdad, Erbil, and Sulaimaniyah airports. The halt has forced passengers to undertake land journeys lasting at least 12 hours and has significantly disrupted pilgrim traffic between Shia-majority regions in both countries.
The suspensions have triggered protests across Iraq, including demonstrations outside Najaf airport and in the cities of Nasiriya, Karbala, and Amarah, according to Iranian news agency Press TV.
The diplomatic tension follows a US ban enacted on September 23, which targets any company conducting business with Iranian airlines and has sharply reduced Iran’s international air connectivity. Data from aviation monitor FlightRadar24 indicates that flights to and from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport have dropped by 42 percent. Routes to Georgia, Oman, and Azerbaijan have been halted entirely, while services to Dubai were suspended on September 23.
Despite the broader downturn, flights to China have remained steady, and the busiest route to Turkiye has seen only a 19 percent decline, although individual airlines have frequently shifted services on and off the corridor.
Prior to the suspension, Iraq’s government sought a US exemption on humanitarian grounds, citing the needs of civilians for medical treatment, education, religious visits, and general travel interests.
Honestly, the real story here is how Iran is pivoting to China while its western routes collapse. The geopolitical shift is huge.
Does anyone know if the religious exemptions are actually working? My cousin tried to fly to Najaf last month and got stuck.
I had no idea the sanctions were this extraterritorial. It is wild that ground handlers in Iraq are blocking flights over fear of American penalties.
Is this actually newsworthy though? Iran blaming the US for its regional policies feels like standard rhetoric we hear every week.
It is genuinely frustrating to see civilians suffering because of geopolitical sanctions. The 12-hour land journeys are unacceptable.