Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported that the ban on Iranian flights entering Najaf International Airport could be lifted within the coming hours, following several days of suspended air traffic between Iran and a number of Iraqi airports.
At the same time, Iraqi sources confirmed that talks are underway with the United States to secure an exemption allowing Iranian aircraft to land at Najaf Airport, amid political pressure inside Iraq to restore air links with Iran.
However, so far no official decision has been issued by the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority to resume the flights, while a member of the Najaf Provincial Council denied that lifting the ban within 24 hours had been finalized.
Flights between Najaf and Iran had been suspended since September 25, against the backdrop of new U.S. sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector and entities providing services to Iranian airlines.
The issue remains under negotiation, and any actual resumption of flights will require an official Iraqi decision.