Flights by Iranian airlines to Najaf resumed on Sunday, 4 October 2026, after a halt of several weeks. According to Arab News and Kurdistan24, the first flight was operated by Caspian Airlines, which landed at Najaf International Airport at 17:15 Iraq time (17:45 Tehran time).
The resumption became possible after the Iraqi government reached an agreement with the United States on Friday, 2 October, and obtained an exemption from the sanctions on Iranian airlines. Under the exemption, Iranian carriers, with the exception of Mahan Air, can operate 40 round-trip flights a day to Najaf. Hussein Muhanna, an official at Najaf airport, confirmed the resumption of flights between Iran and Iraq.
The impact of the aviation sanctions
Last month, Iraq suspended flights by Iranian airlines as it enforced US sanctions against them. The sanctions are part of Washington's economic pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic during the months-long war between the two countries.
Iranian flights to Iraq mainly carry Shia pilgrims, Iraqi students studying in Iran and patients travelling for medical treatment. According to Arab News, the United States has also allowed Iraqi Airways to fly between Najaf and Iran, and these flights are expected to begin this month.
Mahan Air has been explicitly excluded from the exemption. A few days ago, the United Arab Emirates also cancelled all flights by Iranian airlines until further notice.
The US exemption has opened only the air route to Najaf for Iranian airlines, and the other aviation sanctions remain in place.
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