Iraq

Middle East Travel Alerts

Iraqi Leaders Convene Over Iran Flight Bans and US Airport Sanctions Threats

Iraq's top state authorities are meeting to address restrictions on Iranian flights and US sanctions warnings targeting airports handling Iranian carriers. While no nationwide ban was formally enacted, airports in Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, and Al-Sulaymaniyah have suspended flights to and from Iran. Washington warned that punitive measures could target entities providing ground-handling, refueling, or landing services to designated Iranian airlines.

Middle East Travel Alerts

Iraq’s Najaf Airport Suspends All Flights to and from Iran

Commercial flights operated by Iraqi Airways between Iranian airports and Najaf resumed on September 28, 2026. Operations had been halted after foreign ground-handling companies refused aircraft servicing over concerns regarding U.S. sanctions. The resumption follows intervention by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi after protests at Najaf International Airport.