Key Takeaways
- Iraqi Airways will resume flights to Iran in October after securing a special exemption.
- The exemption was provided by the US Treasury and will run for one month.
- Initial services will operate from the Shi’ite holy city of Najaf.
Iraqi Airways is set to resume flights to Iran in October, following a suspension amid US sanctions. The transport ministry announced the resumption, stating that Iraq had secured a special exemption allowing the airline to operate services to Iran.
The suspension of flights was implemented on Friday in line with US sanctions, which restricted services to Iranian airlines. However, the government had sought exemptions for travel related to pilgrimage, medical treatment, and education.
According to a source in the Iraqi transport ministry, the exemption was provided by the US Treasury and will be valid for one month. The number of allowed flights has not yet been determined.
Initial services will operate from the Shi’ite holy city of Najaf, with regulatory and technical requirements to be completed before the resumption. The transport ministry emphasized that the exemption was granted to ensure compliance with US sanctions and to prevent the flights from being used for illicit purposes.
Baghdad had offered several safeguards, including passenger screening and information sharing, as well as measures to prevent the flights from being used to transport weapons, sanctioned individuals, or illicit money. These measures were reportedly discussed with the US Treasury.
Reuters reported on Monday that the Trump administration was set to grant a one-month US Treasury waiver allowing Iraqi Airways to fly between Iran and Najaf, with a more permanent exemption potentially following.
The resumption of flights is seen as a significant development in the ongoing diplomatic and economic relations between Iraq and Iran, despite the presence of US sanctions. The move is expected to facilitate travel for pilgrims and other essential services.
Iraqi Airways and the transport ministry are working closely to ensure the smooth implementation of the resumption, with a focus on maintaining compliance with both Iraqi and US regulations.
