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

Update — September 29, 2026 11:11 PM CST: 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.

Update — September 29, 2026 11:11 AM CST: Iraqi Airways resumed commercial operations between Najaf International Airport and Iran on September 28, 2026, following government intervention. The route reopened after a wider suspension of Iranian services across the region linked to secondary aviation sanctions. Iraq's ambassador confirmed the clearance, though Iranian aviation officials reported no formal document had yet been received.

Update — September 29, 2026 5:11 AM CST: The Iraqi government has enforced an aviation ban on sanctioned Iranian carriers following warnings from Washington that handling these flights could expose Iraqi airports to US sanctions. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi requested a humanitarian exemption for specific facilities, including Najaf airport, amid domestic political debate over lost transit and religious tourism revenues. Ground handling, refueling, and landing services for affected carriers remain halted across Iraqi airports.

Update — September 29, 2026 5:10 AM CST: The Iraqi government has enforced an aviation ban on sanctioned Iranian carriers following warnings from Washington that servicing these flights would trigger US sanctions on Iraqi facilities. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has sought a humanitarian exemption from the United States for select facilities, including Najaf airport. The decision has sparked domestic political debate over religious tourism links and daily revenue losses exceeding two billion Iraqi dinars.

Update — September 28, 2026 5:11 AM CST: The Iraqi government is holding direct negotiations with the United States to exempt several domestic airports from sanctions targeting Iranian airlines. The restrictions halted flights connecting Iranian cities with Iraqi destinations, including Najaf and Baghdad. Iraq is requesting a waiver on humanitarian grounds to resume flights for medical treatment, education, and pilgrimages.

Update — September 28, 2026 5:11 AM CST: The office of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced direct negotiations with the United States to exempt several Iraqi airports from sanctions targeting Iranian airlines. The waiver is being sought on humanitarian grounds for medical treatment, education, and religious travel. The US restrictions disrupted flight routes between Iranian cities and Iraqi destinations such as Baghdad and Najaf.

Update — September 28, 2026 1:10 AM CST: Major international airports across Iraq have halted commercial flights operated by Iranian carriers. The suspension follows U.S. secondary sanctions targeting support services for Iranian airlines, stranding hundreds of regional travelers.

Update — September 28, 2026 1:10 AM CST: Major international airports across Iraq have halted commercial flights operated by Iranian carriers following U.S. secondary sanctions. The restrictions targeted ground support and ticketing services, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded across both countries.

Update — September 27, 2026 11:40 PM CST: Iraq is negotiating with the United States to secure an exemption from a ban on Iranian airlines enforced across all Iraqi airports. The restrictions, which follow US Treasury sanctions also implemented by regional states including the UAE, have disrupted travel for pilgrims, students, and medical patients.

Update — September 27, 2026 11:40 PM CST: The Iraqi government has engaged in direct negotiations with the United States to obtain an exemption from a ban on Iranian airlines. The restriction, enforced across all Iraqi airports and several regional states including the UAE, followed US Treasury sanctions targeting companies servicing Iranian carriers. Iraqi authorities are requesting humanitarian exemptions to restore transport for medical patients, students, and religious pilgrims.

Update — September 27, 2026 7:11 AM CST: Najaf International Airport has suspended all flights to and from Iran starting at 2 a.m. on September 25, 2026, following official directives. The operational halt comes amid tightening US Treasury sanctions on Iranian aviation operations and previous cancellations by Iran's Civil Aviation Organization.

Update — September 27, 2026 7:11 AM CST: Najaf International Airport in Iraq has suspended all incoming and outgoing flights to and from Iran starting at 2 a.m. on September 25, 2026. The measure follows official directives amid broader regional air travel disruptions linked to US Treasury sanctions targeting Iranian aviation operations.

Update — September 26, 2026 7:10 PM CST: The Iraqi government is holding direct negotiations with the United States to secure humanitarian exemptions for flights to and from Iran. The discussions follow a complete suspension of Iranian flight operations across all Iraqi airports due to US secondary sanctions. The disruptions have notably impacted Najaf International Airport, stranding medical patients, students, and religious pilgrims.

Update — September 26, 2026 1:10 PM CST: Iraqi aviation authorities suspended Iranian flights at Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, and Sulaimaniyah airports following U.S. secondary sanctions. Iranian senior adviser Mohammad Mokhber warned regional air travel would be accessible for everyone or no one.

Update — September 26, 2026 8:41 AM CST: All four Iraqi airports operating routes to Iran have suspended flights following closures in Erbil, Sulaimaniya, Baghdad, and Najaf. The halts follow new U.S. sanctions affecting entities doing business with Iranian carriers, leading local ground handlers to cease operations.

Update — September 26, 2026 8:40 AM CST: Erbil and Sulaimaniya airports in northern Iraq suspended flights to and from Iran on September 25, 2026. This follows earlier suspensions in Baghdad and Najaf, completely halting direct flights between Iran and all four Iraqi airports that previously serviced these routes. Ground-handling firms halted operations to avoid secondary U.S. sanctions taking effect after September 23.

Update — September 26, 2026 7:10 AM CST: Iraq has halted all flights operated by Iranian carriers across airports in Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, and Sulaimaniyah. The measure follows secondary sanctions announced by the United States targeting companies providing services to Iranian airlines. Similar suspensions have been implemented across regional hubs, including the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Update — September 26, 2026 7:10 AM CST: Iraq has halted all flights operated by Iranian carriers across its four active airports in Erbil, Sulaimaniyah, Baghdad, and Najaf. The restrictions follow secondary sanctions announced by the United States against entities providing services to Iranian airlines. Similar flight suspensions have been implemented by neighboring nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Update — September 26, 2026 3:11 AM CST: Four Iraqi airports have halted all flights to and from Iran after the implementation of secondary US aviation sanctions. Ground-handling and refueling companies ceased services to avoid exclusion from the US dollar financial system, forcing travelers onto 12-hour overland routes.

Update — September 26, 2026 2:10 AM CST: Iraq's Najaf International Airport suspended all Iranian flights starting Friday at 02:00 local time to comply with US sanctions. The decision follows a directive from the Iraqi prime minister's office amid US Treasury warnings of secondary sanctions.