The Iraqi government is seeking an exemption from the United States’ ban on Iranian airlines, saying the sanctions have disrupted travel for patients, students and religious pilgrims.
Iraq said on Saturday that it was holding direct talks with Washington to allow some of its airports to continue receiving Iranian flights.
“All Iraqi airports enforced the ban this week, resulting in major disruption at the airport of the holy city of Najaf,” the report said.
The Iraqi Prime Minister’s media office said the government was seeking an exemption for certain airports to allow flights to resume for humanitarian purposes.
“The Iraqi government is holding direct talks with the American side to exempt certain Iraqi airports from these measures,” it said.
It added that the exemption would cover medical treatment, education, religious visits and other civilian needs.
Iranian airlines carry Iraqi Shia pilgrims travelling to Iran’s holy cities, while also transporting Iranians visiting religious sites in Iraq.
The flights are also used by Iraqi students studying in Iran and patients travelling there for medical treatment.
Several Iraqis told AFP that the enforcement of the US sanctions had left them searching for alternatives, with some concerned about losing access to medical treatment in Iran.
Others stranded in Iran reportedly faced journeys of more than 12 hours by land to return home.
Iraq has joined several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, in enforcing the US measures after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iranian airlines would be “shut down” globally from Wednesday.
Iraq and Iran, both predominantly Shia Muslim countries, have maintained close religious, political and economic ties.
Iraqi airlines, however, stopped operating flights to Iran at the beginning of the Middle East war in February.
