Iraq has halted flights operated by Iranian airlines at Najaf International Airport following a directive linked to the enforcement of United States sanctions against Iran’s aviation sector.
The suspension took effect on Friday and has disrupted travel between Iraq and Iran, particularly for religious pilgrims, students and patients who regularly use the air route between the two countries.
Najaf airport director Hussein Muhanna confirmed that flights between Iran and Najaf had been stopped following instructions from the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office through the governor of Najaf.
An Iraqi government source also said the restriction had been implemented across the country’s airports, including those in the Kurdistan region.
Najaf, located south of Baghdad, is one of Iraq’s major destinations for Shia Muslims and has strong air links with Iran. Iranian carriers frequently transport pilgrims travelling between the two countries’ religious centres.
The flights are also used by Iraqi students studying in Iran and patients travelling there for medical care.
The suspension has created difficulties for travellers who now have to consider land transportation, which can take more than 12 hours depending on their destination.
One Iraqi patient who had planned to travel to Iran for a kidney transplant after years of dialysis said the disruption had put his medical plans at risk because travelling by road was not a practical option for him.
An Iraqi doctoral student stranded in Iran also said buses and taxis were becoming crowded and more expensive as passengers searched for alternatives to air travel.
The latest measure comes amid the broader enforcement of US sanctions targeting Iranian airlines. Iraq has joined other countries in implementing restrictions following comments by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that Iranian airlines would face shutdown.
The disruption is particularly significant for Iranian carriers because Iraq has remained an important international destination for their flights. Iranian airlines have also become more reliant on Iraqi routes after Iraqi carriers suspended flights to Iran when the Middle East conflict escalated in February.
An employee of an Iranian airline at Najaf airport said the carriers typically operate around 20 flights to the city each day. Following the suspension, however, only a small number of flights to other destinations were still scheduled.
