Iran Urges Iraq to Lift Flight Ban Amid US Sanctions

Iran has urged Iraq to remove all remaining flight restrictions stemming from US sanctions and to fully restore regular air travel between the two countries. This appeal comes despite services having partially resumed at one Iraqi airport earlier in the week.

Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned Washington's efforts to disrupt Iran's trade and air transport as “illegal and inhumane,” calling on Baghdad to lift the restrictions.

Highlights

• Iran has formally requested Iraq to lift all flight restrictions related to US sanctions.
• The Iranian Foreign Ministry criticized US sanctions as “illegal and inhumane.”
• Flights between Najaf and Iran have partially resumed, but major airports in Baghdad, Erbil, and Sulaimaniyah remain affected.
• Iraq's government previously sought a humanitarian exemption from the US for these sanctions.
• The US ban, which targets companies dealing with Iranian airlines, took effect on September 23.

Details

In a statement on Thursday, Iran's Foreign Ministry emphasized that the movement of millions of Iranian and Iraqi citizens necessitates “an independent and responsible approach” to disagreements between the two governments. According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency, flights between Najaf and Iran restarted late on Monday, attributed to the “diligent efforts” of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.

Iraq's ambassador to Iran, Yasser Abdulzahra al-Hajjaj, stated that Baghdad had not decided to suspend Iranian flights. However, foreign ground-handling companies reportedly refused services, fearing US sanctions. Flights remain suspended at Baghdad, Erbil, and Sulaimaniyah airports, forcing passengers to undertake land journeys of at least 12 hours and disrupting pilgrim traffic between the Shia-majority regions.

The US ban, which took effect on September 23, targets any company conducting business with Iranian airlines and has significantly reduced Iran's international air links. Aviation monitor FlightRadar24 reports that flights to and from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport have decreased by 42 percent. Routes to Georgia, Oman, and Azerbaijan have been entirely halted, and flights to Dubai suspended since September 23. While flights to China have remained steady, the busiest route, to Turkey, has seen only a 19 percent drop.

Why it matters

This situation highlights the broad impact of US sanctions on regional relations and civilian mobility. The restrictions directly affect millions of people traveling for religious visits and other humanitarian needs, prompting the Iraqi government to seek an exemption from the US on humanitarian grounds. The direct consequences of political tensions on the daily lives of ordinary citizens underscore the complex nature of international relations.