Iraq issued a permit for 40 daily flights for Iranian airlines to Najaf; Mahan Air was excluded.
The Iraqi Prime Minister’s office announced that Iranian airlines, excluding Mahan Air, can conduct up to 40 round-trip flights daily between Iran and Najaf International Airport. This agreement was reached after Baghdad negotiated to obtain an exemption from U.S. restrictions. Previously, Washington had issued a limited exemption for the resumption of Iraqi Airways flights between Najaf and Iran, and now this exemption has been extended to some Iranian airlines as well. According to the Iraqi side, the flights will be conducted under specific monitoring and security measures, including passenger inspections and preventing the transfer of weapons, sanctioned individuals, or illegal funds. Najaf is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Iranian travelers, and the suspension of flights in recent weeks had been accompanied by political and social pressure in Iraq.