US Treasury Grants Sanctions Waiver For Some Iranian Flights To Iraq

What happened: Iraq secured a narrow US sanctions exemption letting Iranian airlines resume up to 40 daily flights to Najaf International Airport. The deal excludes Mahan Air. Key numbers: Up to 40 daily flights allowed. Before the ban, about 25 Iranian flights a day landed in Najaf and about 15 in Baghdad. Why it matters: Baghdad welcomed US cooperation, and the exemption eases travel for pilgrims, patients, and tourists. A Reuters source said keeping the ban risked uniting Shia followers of Iran's supreme leader and of Iraq's Ali al-Sistani against Baghdad.

Iraq secured a narrow US sanctions exemption letting Iranian airlines resume up to 40 daily flights to Najaf International Airport. The deal excludes Mahan Air.

Baghdad welcomed US cooperation, and the exemption eases travel for pilgrims, patients, and tourists. A Reuters source said keeping the ban risked uniting Shia followers of Iran's supreme leader and of Iraq's Ali al-Sistani against Baghdad.