After a US Warning Over Iran's Aviation Sanctions, Iraq Seeks an Exemption for Najaf Airport

According to the Saudi daily Asharq al-Awsat, as carried by ISNA, a senior Iraqi government source said Baghdad has received a "serious and direct" US warning about violating the aviation sanctions imposed on Iran, and that the US side explained punitive measures could extend to any entity or airport that serves Iranian airlines. According to the source, Iraq has requested an exemption for Najaf airport "for humanitarian reasons". The report was published on the morning of Monday, 6 Mehr 1405.

The Iraqi government had said in an official statement on Saturday, 4 Mehr (September 26, 2026) that it was in direct talks with Washington to exempt some Iraqi airports from the restrictions for humanitarian purposes such as medical treatment, education and pilgrimage. Al-Hadath, as cited by Tasnim, also reported that securing these exemptions is the main agenda of Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein's trip to Washington.

The US Treasury recently sanctioned 36 entities linked to Iran's aviation sector, including 27 airlines, and the restrictions took effect last Wednesday.