Iran urges Iraq to lift flight restrictions amid US sanctions pressure
Iran has called on Iraq to remove remaining flight restrictions affecting travel between the two countries, saying the curbs are linked to US sanctions and are disrupting air transport. The appeal came after services partially resumed at Najaf airport earlier in the week, while flights remained suspended at Baghdad, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah airports. The dispute has affected passenger movement, including pilgrim travel between Shia-majority areas in both countries.
Sponsored
In a statement on Thursday, Iran's Foreign Ministry described Washington's sanctions enforcement as illegal and inhumane, and said the restrictions were being imposed through extraterritorial pressure on aviation and trade. It urged Baghdad to take what it called an independent and responsible approach to the issue. Iraq's ambassador to Iran said Baghdad had not decided to suspend Iranian flights, while ground-handling companies reportedly refused to provide services because of fears of US sanctions.
The suspensions have had immediate practical consequences for travellers, with passengers forced onto land journeys of at least 12 hours in some cases. Protests were reported in several Iraqi cities, including outside Najaf airport and in Nasiriya, Karbala and Amarah. The disruption has also affected religious travel, which is a major part of cross-border movement between the two neighbours.
The issue matters beyond aviation because it sits at the intersection of sanctions policy, regional diplomacy and civilian mobility. Iraq has previously sought a US exemption on humanitarian grounds, citing medical treatment, education, religious visits and the interests of civilians. That request underlines the extent to which the restrictions are being felt not only by airlines and airport operators, but also by ordinary passengers and pilgrims.
Sponsored
The latest tensions come after the US ban took effect on September 23 and targeted any company doing business with Iranian airlines. According to aviation monitoring data cited in the report, flights to and from Tehran's Imam Khomeini international airport have fallen sharply, with some routes halted entirely and others reduced. Flights to China have remained steady, while the route to Turkiye has seen a smaller decline, suggesting the impact has varied by destination and airline.
What remains unclear is how quickly Iraq can restore normal operations at the affected airports, or whether further exemptions or adjustments will be agreed. The immediate focus is on whether Baghdad will face more pressure to act, and whether the partial resumption at Najaf can be extended to other routes. For now, the dispute continues to disrupt travel and highlight the wider reach of US sanctions across the region.
Sponsored
