In a new escalation in restrictions on Iranian air traffic in Iraqi airspace, the airports of Najaf, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah have announced the suspension of flights to and from Iran, joining Baghdad International Airport, which had previously stopped receiving Iranian aircraft.
Najaf Suspends Flights “Until Further Notice”
The administration of Najaf International Airport announced on Thursday evening that all flights arriving from and departing for Iran would be suspended from 2:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, until further notice, citing “official directives from the competent authorities.”
A source within the airport administration said the decision was made following an instruction from the Prime Minister’s Office to Najaf Governorate.
The decision comes days after Iranian airlines stopped operating flights to Baghdad International Airport, which had halted the reception of Iranian aircraft early Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Najaf Airport had subsequently become a major hub for Iranian flights following the suspension at Baghdad. Its flight schedule showed that 18 of the 20 scheduled flights were bound for Iranian cities.
Erbil and Sulaymaniyah Follow Suit
In a subsequent development, Kurdish sources announced the suspension of Iranian flights to Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports starting Friday.
Reuters confirmed that the airports of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region had suspended Iranian flights effective Friday.
Prior to the decision, direct flights between Iran and the Kurdistan Region were still listed on flight schedules. Friday schedules showed direct flights between Erbil International Airport and Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, including one operated by Mahan Air from Erbil to Tehran and another in the opposite direction, as well as similar flights from Sulaymaniyah International Airport.
Tehran: No Decision to Resume Najaf Flights
Meanwhile, the executive director of Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran confirmed that flights to Najaf could not currently operate and that no new decision had been made regarding their resumption.
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization also announced that Baghdad Airport would stop receiving Iranian flights, while consultations had been held to divert some of them to Najaf before Najaf was also suspended.
Mokhber: “Either Aviation in the Region Is for Everyone, or No One”
In a related statement, Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, commented on the developments, saying:
“Aligning with America in implementing hostile policies will remain firmly etched in the memory of the Iranian people.”
He added:
“Aviation in the region is either available to everyone, or it is available to no one.”
He continued:
“If Iran cannot fly or access airport services, then no country in the region will have this capability either.”