Iran has called on Iraq to remove flight restrictions imposed due to US sanctions and to fully restore normal air travel between the two countries. This request was made following partial resumption of services at one Iraqi airport earlier in the week.
In a statement on Thursday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry criticized the United States for its efforts to disrupt Iran’s trade and air transport through what it termed the "extraterritorial enforcement" of US sanctions, urging Baghdad to eliminate the restrictions.
The Foreign Ministry emphasized that the movement of millions of Iranian and Iraqi citizens necessitated an "independent and responsible approach" to the disagreements between the two governments.
Flights between Najaf and Iran resumed late on Monday, as reported by the state-run Iraqi News Agency, which attributed the resumption to the efforts of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.
Iraq’s ambassador to Iran, Yasser Abdulzahra al-Hajjaj, indicated that Baghdad had not made a decision to suspend Iranian flights. However, foreign ground-handling companies have declined to provide services due to concerns over US sanctions.
As a result, flights remain suspended at Baghdad, Erbil, and Sulaimaniyah airports, compelling passengers to undertake land journeys of at least 12 hours and disrupting pilgrim traffic between Shia-majority areas.
These flight suspensions have led to protests across Iraq, including demonstrations outside Najaf airport and in Nasiriya, Karbala, and Amarah, as reported by the Iranian news agency Press TV.
The US sanctions, which took effect on September 23, target any company conducting business with Iranian airlines and have significantly reduced Iran’s international air connections. Flights to and from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport have decreased by 42 percent, with routes to Georgia, Oman, and Azerbaijan completely halted, and flights to Dubai suspended since September 23.
Despite this, flights to China have remained stable, while the busiest route to Turkiye has only seen a 19 percent decline, as individual airlines have adjusted their services on this route.
Iraq’s government has sought a US exemption on humanitarian grounds related to medical treatment, education, religious visits, and the interests of civilians.