Iraqi Prime Minister's Office negotiates exemption for humanitarian flights from sanctions against Iran

The Iraqi government recently entered into direct negotiations with the United States to receive exceptions for Iranian flight operations, which were completely banned due to strong U.S. sanctions against Iran.

According to foreign media such as dpa news agency on the 26th (local time), the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office announced that it is directly discussing with the US authorities to resume flights for humanitarian purposes such as medical, educational, and religious pilgrimage and to exclude some airports in Iraq from sanctions.

Iran previously announced that all flights in the region had been canceled earlier this week due to the widespread sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian sources reported that airports in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and Muscat, Oman, have completely suspended takeoffs and landings of Iranian flights since the 23rd.

In particular, the airport authorities in Najaf, southern Iraq, one of the holiest sites for Iranians and other Shiite Muslims, also announced that they would suspend all flights to and from Iran until further notice.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant announced on the 23rd that all Iranian-flagged airlines would be banned worldwide as part of sanctions against Iran.

The U.S. government strongly warned that any country that violates sanctions and supplies fuel or ground handling services to Iranian airlines, or sells airline tickets on their behalf, will be expelled from the U.S. dollar-centered global financial payment network, heightening tensions in neighboring countries.