Air travel between Iran and Iraq has resumed through Najaf International Airport after the United States granted a limited exemption allowing Iranian airlines to operate flights to the Iraqi city.
The first Iranian flight arrived at Najaf on Sunday, with Caspian Airlines operating the service. Najaf airport officials confirmed that flights between Iran and Iraq had resumed through the airport.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Flights between Iran and Najaf have resumed.
The first returning flight was operated by Caspian Airlines.
Iranian airlines can operate up to 40 daily flights to and from Najaf.
Mahan Air is excluded from the exemption.
The arrangement supports pilgrimage and medical travel.
Under the arrangement secured by the Iraqi government, Iranian airlines, except Mahan Air, are permitted to operate up to 40 flights a day to and from Najaf International Airport.
The resumption follows a suspension of Iranian flights after US sanctions affecting Iran's aviation sector disrupted services to Iraq. The exemption is intended to facilitate travel, particularly for religious pilgrims and people seeking medical treatment, while also supporting other essential passenger movement.
Iraqi Airways has also received a separate waiver to operate flights between Najaf and Iran, with its services expected to resume this month.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The limited resumption restores an important air link between Iran and Iraq, particularly for religious pilgrims and passengers travelling for medical treatment.
