Iraq seeks exemption from US ban on Iran airlines

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 27, 2026

The Iraqi government is negotiating with the United States to obtain an exemption from sanctions on Iranian airlines that have disrupted flights at major Iraqi airports, particularly affecting patients, students, and pilgrims. Securing this exemption is crucial to restoring vital humanitarian and civilian air travel between the two countries, which currently serves thousands of daily passengers.

The Iraqi government is engaging with the United States to seek an exemption from recent sanctions imposed on Iranian airlines, which have disrupted air travel affecting patients, students, and pilgrims, Iraqi officials said on Tuesday. The ban, enforced earlier this week at all Iraqi airports, has caused significant disruptions, particularly at Najaf International Airport, the primary gateway for Iranian flights to Iraq.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s media office, Baghdad is in direct discussions with Washington to exclude certain Iraqi airports from the measures. Such an exemption would aim to allow flights to recommence for humanitarian purposes, including medical treatment, educational travel, religious visits, and other civilian needs.

Iranian airlines have traditionally operated numerous flights transporting Iraqi Shia pilgrims to holy cities in Iran, as well as facilitating Iranian visitors to religious sites in Iraq. The routes also support Iraqi students enrolled in Iranian institutions and patients seeking medical care across the border. The enforcement of the US ban has left many Iraqis facing uncertainty, with some expressing concern over losing access to essential treatments or being stranded abroad, forced to undertake lengthy land journeys exceeding 12 hours.

Mohammad Kazem al-Sadegh, Iran’s ambassador to Iraq, confirmed in an interview with the Iranian news agency ISNA that Tehran is coordinating with Iraqi authorities to find solutions to resume flights. He noted that approximately 25 flights daily operate from Iran to Najaf, alongside around 15 flights to Baghdad. These services facilitate the travel of an estimated 12,000 to 13,000 passengers between the two countries daily via Iranian airlines.

The ambassador emphasized that the ban poses significant challenges not only for Iranians but also for Iraqi citizens relying on these flights, especially students and patients. Both governments continue efforts to mitigate the impact of the sanctions while navigating the complexities of US-imposed restrictions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.