Iran Najaf Flights Resume Despite US Sanctions: First Iran Air Flight Departs

Iran-Najaf Flights Resume Despite US Sanctions, First Iran Air Flight Departs

Shiite News: After weeks of continuous sanctions and suspension, the resumption of flights from Iran to Najaf Ashraf has finally entered the practical phase, and in this connection, the first Iran Air flight has departed on the Tehran-Najaf route. This important development has come about as a result of successful negotiations between Tehran and Baghdad to remove travel obstacles following US sanctions against Iranian airlines and restrictions imposed on flights to certain regional countries.

It may be recalled that this issue arose during the past few weeks when the United States imposed cruel sanctions on 27 Iranian airlines. As a result of these unilateral sanctions, flights to some of Iran’s neighboring and regional countries, including Georgia, Iraq (Baghdad), Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, faced severe disruption, and the activities of Iranian airlines on several international routes were affected.

It is noteworthy that the air route between Iran and Iraq holds extreme importance due to its special pilgrimage and religious nature. According to experts and those associated with the aviation industry, Iraqi airports, especially Najaf International Airport, earn considerable revenue from the arrival and departure of Iranian passengers and pilgrims. The suspension of Iran’s flights to Najaf is not considered merely a travel or aviation issue, because the air link between the two countries on this route is deeply connected to the movement of pilgrims of Syed al-Shuhada (AS) and extensive religious, cultural, and economic ties.

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According to reports, in view of the continuation of sanctions, the Iraqi government had started formal talks with Washington to obtain an exemption from these unilateral US sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and this diplomatic negotiation ultimately led to the issuance of permission for the resumption of flights between Iran and Iraq, which has come as a great relief to pilgrims.