Iraq seeks US exemptions after four airports suspended flights to and from Iran on Friday under new US aviation sanctions. Baghdad says exemptions would allow travel for medical care, education, religious visits and civilian needs; passengers face land trips of at least 12 hours.
The affected airports are in Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah. Washington had announced sanctions on global companies doing business with Iranian airlines days before the suspensions. Najaf flights carry Iraqi pilgrims to Iran’s holy cities and Iranians visiting sacred sites in Iraq.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s office urged dialogue to ease regional tensions. A protest against the suspensions was held in Baghdad, organized by Iran-allied militias, while scholars and students at Najaf’s Hawza held a vigil and condemned the halt. Iraq’s ambassador to Tehran said the suspension would be temporary and Baghdad was working to restore air traffic; Iran’s ambassador said a new decision on flights was likely soon.
