After Long Ban, Iraqi Airways Resumes Flights to Tehran

Iraqi Airways restarted its Najaf-Tehran route on Thursday with the arrival of the first flight in the Iranian capital after a halt lasting several months, following the company's receipt of a US exception allowing it to resume flights to Iran.

Iranian media reported that the Iraqi plane landed at Imam Khomeini Airport at 7:30 AM, marking the return of daily direct flights on the Najaf-Tehran route.

The management of Iraqi Airways had announced on Monday the resumption of its direct flights to Iran starting October 8, as part of a plan including regular daily flights between Najaf International Airport and airports in Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan.

The Iraqi Ministry of Transport said the plan aims to facilitate passenger movement and provide regular air transport options between Iraq and Iranian cities.

The ministry had previously announced that the national carrier obtained a "special exception" allowing it to operate flights to Iran under US sanctions.

The exception pertains to authorized aviation services and does not indicate a comprehensive lifting of sanctions on Iranian airlines.