Iraq grants Iranian airlines 40 daily Najaf flights after US exemption

Mahan Air is excluded from the agreement as Baghdad says Washington granted its request for a waiver.Published On 2 Oct 20262 Oct 2026Iraq has agreed to let Iranian airlines, except Mahan Air, operate up to 40 flights a day to and from Najaf International Airport, saying the United States granted an exemption from its sanctions.Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s office announced the agreement on Friday, a day after Tehran urged Baghdad to lift restrictions that it said hurt pilgrims, patients, students and business.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2US issues more Iran sanctions on eve of possible talks in Pakistanlist 2 of 2US aviation sanctions disrupt Iran flights, push travellers overlandend of listThe deal eases the links between the two Shia-majority neighbours since Washington sanctioned Iran’s aviation sector last month.Al-Zaidi welcomed the “positive response shown by the US government to Iraq’s efforts and its cooperation in granting the necessary exemption”, the statement from his office said.“Air travel does not merely represent transportation between two airports, but rather a bridge of communication between peoples,” it added.Separately, Iraq’s Foreign Minister ...