Iran urges Iraq to lift flight ban amid US sanctions

Iran has urged Iraq to lift the remaining flight restrictions imposed after the United States enacted extraterritorial sanctions that target any company doing business with Iranian airlines. The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned Washington’s “illegal and inhumane” actions and called on Baghdad to restore normal air travel between the two nations, emphasizing the need for an “independent and responsible approach” to the movement of millions of Iranian and Iraqi citizens. While a limited service between Najaf and Iran resumed late on Monday—credited to the “diligent efforts” of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi—flights at Baghdad, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah airports remain suspended, forcing passengers onto land journeys of at least twelve hours and disrupting pilgrim traffic from Shia‑majority areas.

The flight bans stem from a U.S. prohibition that took effect on September 23, which bars any entity that provides services to Iranian airlines, prompting foreign ground‑handling companies to refuse service for fear of penalties. The sanctions have sharply reduced Iran’s international air links, with departures from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport down 42 percent, according to FlightRadar24, and routes to Georgia, Oman and Azerbaijan halted entirely, while flights to Dubai have also been suspended. Iraq’s government had sought a U.S. exemption on humanitarian grounds—covering medical treatment, education, religious visits and civilian interests—but the request has not yet been granted, leaving the broader network of Iranian‑Iraqi flights crippled.

Protests have erupted across Iraq, including outside Najaf airport and in Nasiriya, Karbala and Amarah, reflecting public frustration with the travel disruptions. Iraq’s ambassador to Iran, Yasser Abdulzahra al‑Hajjaj, affirmed that Baghdad has not decided to suspend Iranian flights, yet the ongoing restrictions continue to affect pilgrims and ordinary travelers alike. The situation underscores the wider impact of U.S. sanctions on regional connectivity and highlights the diplomatic tension between Tehran and Baghdad as they navigate the balance between compliance with U.S. policy and the humanitarian and economic needs of their citizens.

⚡ Effects Interpreter