Iraq Seeks Exemption From US Ban on Iran Airlines
The request would restore flights for medical treatment, education and religious visits after sanctions disrupted travel for patients, students and pilgrims, officials said.
- On Saturday, the Iraqi government confirmed it is holding direct talks with the United States to secure an exemption from the ban on Iranian airlines, which has disrupted travel for patients, students, and pilgrims.
- The United States Treasury announced sanctions on September 8 targeting 36 entities linked to Iran's aviation sector, including 27 Iranian airlines, warning that foreign firms could face exclusion from the American financial system.
- Iraq joined countries like the United Arab Emirates in enforcing the ban after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iranian airlines would be "shut down" on Wednesday, causing disruptions at Najaf, Erbil, and Al-Sulaymaniyah airports.
- Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi's media office said the exemption would allow flights to resume "for humanitarian reasons, including medical treatment, education, religious visits, and for the interest of civilians," as many Iraqis scramble for alternatives.
- Relations between Iraq and Iran remain close due to religious and political interests, though enforcement has left some stranded with little choice but to take the more than 12-hour journey home by land, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein noted.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Baghdad holds talks with Washington to allow flights to resume on humanitarian grounds, Iraqi prime minister's office says
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week that "all Iranian airlines will be paralyzed around the world," increasing economic pressure on Tehran
The Economic Times
Iraq seeks exemption from US ban on Iran airlines
Iraq is currently negotiating with the United States for an exemption from the recent ban on Iranian airlines. This ban has caused significant travel disruptions at airports, especially in Najaf, impacting patients and students. Many Iraqis are expressing concern over losing access to medical treatment and the potential for long land journeys home. The Iraqi government cites humanitarian reasons for requesting the exemption to restore necessary …
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