Iraq seeks US exemption from ban on Iranian flights
News Source
β’Sat, 26 Sep 2026 17:35:11 +0000
π° What Happened
Iraq is holding direct talks with Washington about its airports. Baghdad wants an exemption from new United States measures aimed at Iranian airline flights. On Friday, four Iraqi airports stopped all flights to and from Iran.
The airports are in Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah. Passengers now face road journeys of at least 12 hours. Iraq's prime minister's office said exemptions would let flights restart for medical care, study and religious visits.
π The Backstory
Washington announced new aviation sanctions on any company that does business with Iranian airlines. Iraq sits next to Iran and shares deep religious and trade ties. Many Iraqi Shia pilgrims fly to Iran's holy cities, and Iranians visit holy sites in Iraq.
Iraq's prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, has warned that the region is being squeezed between the two countries. Hundreds of people protested in Baghdad against the flight ban, and scholars at the Hawza of Najaf, the leading Shia seminary, held a vigil.
π― Why It Matters
The flight ban strands travellers and hurts Iraq's economy. It shows how US pressure on Iran is squeezing countries in the middle.
Iraq is holding direct talks with Washington about its airports. Baghdad wants an exemption from new United States measures aimed at Iranian airline flights. On Friday, four Iraqi airports stopped all flights to and from Iran.
The airports are in Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah. Passengers now face road journeys of at least 12 hours. Iraq's prime minister's office said exemptions would let flights restart for medical care, study and religious visits.
Washington announced new aviation sanctions on any company that does business with Iranian airlines. Iraq sits next to Iran and shares deep religious and trade ties. Many Iraqi Shia pilgrims fly to Iran's holy cities, and Iranians visit holy sites in Iraq.
Iraq's prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, has warned that the region is being squeezed between the two countries. Hundreds of people protested in Baghdad against the flight ban, and scholars at the Hawza of Najaf, the leading Shia seminary, held a vigil.
The flight ban strands travellers and hurts Iraq's economy. It shows how US pressure on Iran is squeezing countries in the middle.