The blockade began on Sept 25 when flights were halted at Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, and Sulaimaniya airports to avoid US penalties on companies servicing Iranian carriers. This disruption triggered protests by Tehran-aligned groups at Najaf airport and drew criticism from Lebanon's Hezbollah and advisers to Iran's supreme leader. While Iraq's state news agency announced the reopening, Majid Akhavan of the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization has denied that air travel has officially resumed.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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US Grants Iran Sanctions Waiver to End 4 Day Iraqi Flight Ban
Geopolitics22 days ago
Iraqi Airways has restarted services between Najaf and Iran after a total suspension of Iranian aviation links across all major Iraqi airports. The US Treasury will provide a one-month sanctions waiver to allow the transport of religious pilgrims to the city of Najaf, according to a person involved in the deliberations. Although flights have resumed, Iranian-operated planes are still prohibited from entering Iraqi territory, limiting the air bridge to vessels operated by Iraqi Airways.
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