Iraqi Airways has resumed commercial flights between Najaf and Iranian airports, as reported by the state-run Iraqi News Agency. The flights restarted on Monday after Najaf and three other Iraqi airports temporarily suspended operations due to concerns over US sanctions targeting aviation services linked to Iran. This resumption allows Iraq’s flag carrier to navigate challenges with international contractors who had halted handling services for flights associated with Tehran due to fears of secondary penalties.
Earlier, Iran filed a formal complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding US aviation sanctions, according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency. Abuzar Shiroudi, the chief of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation, stated that efforts are being coordinated with Iran’s Foreign Ministry to legally resume flights. Shiroudi mentioned that the ICAO had ruled in favor of Iran concerning its formal protest against US aviation sanctions.
Additionally, Shiroudi noted that Iran has filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice in The Hague regarding attacks on airports, aircraft, and radar systems, with the case currently under review. He indicated that Iran is seeking explanations from several countries about the halted flight routes through diplomatic channels.
US sanctions on Iranian airlines took effect on September 23, posing risks of secondary sanctions to foreign airports and companies servicing sanctioned Iranian carriers. However, these measures have not completely grounded Iranian aviation. According to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, flights to East Asia from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport are still operating without cancellations. Recently, airports in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraq, Oman, and the UAE have cancelled flights by Iranian airlines.