Flights to Najaf Resumed
Iraq said the United States approved a waiver allowing Iranian airlines, excluding Mahan Air, to operate up to 40 flights a day to and from Najaf International Airport.
The Iraqi prime minister’s office said the agreement followed Iraqi government efforts to resume the flights after a suspension tied to US sanctions.
Al-Manar TV LebanonThe Iraqi prime minister’s office welcomed Washington’s decision, saying it would ease travel between Iran and Iraq for medical treatment, religious visits and tourism.
The latest development followed the U.S. Treasury’s issuance of a temporary license allowing Iraqi Airways to operate Iran-Najaf services under strict conditions through Oct. 28, including restrictions on passengers and cargo.
Conflicting accounts in Iran
Iranian and outlet accounts diverged over an attack near Zahedan in southeastern Iran, where the Revolutionary Guards confirmed a roadside bombing that killed one of its fighters. Haalvsh reported five people were killed after an explosive device detonated beside a vehicle and gunmen opened fire, while the Revolutionary Guards gave a different account confirming a roadside bombing but saying one fighter was killed.
Haalvsh reported the attack took place at about 6:30 a.m. as the men were patrolling the Kaleh-Pedeh route in the Rudmahi area in a Land Cruiser equipped with a DShK heavy machine gun. The IRGC Ground Force described what it called “terrorists” as planting a bomb along a road in Sistan-Baluchestan and carrying out an indiscriminate attack.
Arab Times Kuwait NewsSanctions and regional ripple
Iraq’s flight resumption announcement came as the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions framework continued to shape air travel between Iran and Iraq.
The decision was made “through a series of communications and follow-ups with the relevant parties” and described it as a response to US sanctions imposed on Iranian air travel last month.
The sanctions are part of the US campaign to isolate Iran economically and force concessions in the war, and it quoted Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying companies who deal with Iranian airlines would be “knocked out of the dollar system”.
The UAE suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country until further notice, and it said flights between Iran and Oman have also been affected.
Left out by 8 of 9who reported it
Najaf suspended Iran flights from 2 a.m. on Sept. 25, 2026. Reported by کوردستان 24.