Najaf Airport "to Reopen for Iranian Flights Within 24 Hours"

By John Lee.

Najaf International Airport is to reopen for Iranian flights within 24 hours, according to Iraq's ambassador to Iran, Yasser Abd al-Zahra al-Hajjaj.

He told the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) that no government decision had been taken to halt flights with Iran, and that the suspension was caused by foreign ground-handling companies withdrawing their services due to concerns over US sanctions.

Abd al-Zahra said that the Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, is making continuous efforts to resume flights between the two countries.

In a statement issued on 26th September, the Prime Minister's Office said the government is in direct dialogue with the American side to seek exemptions for certain Iraqi airports from US Treasury measures affecting Iranian airlines operating in the region. The statement said the exemptions would allow flights to resume for humanitarian purposes, including medical treatment, study, religious visits, and civilian interests.

(Sources: Prime Minister's Office; Iraqi News Agency)

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