Iraq is negotiating with Washington to exclude its airports from Iranian aviation sanctions

The Iraqi government announced, on Saturday, that it is holding direct talks with Washington to obtain an exemption for Iraqi airports from preventing Iranian airline flights under US sanctions, while armed factions and parties allied with Iran threaten to stage a sit-in at Iraqi airports in protest against Iraq’s compliance with the sanctions.

The Iraqi government says that the sanctions “impede the travel of patients, students, and visitors to religious shrines,” but government officials confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that “land crossings are still open between the two countries, and are witnessing normal movement of passengers and goods even after air navigation restrictions.”

The Prime Minister's Media Office stated that "the Iraqi government is conducting a direct dialogue with the American side to exclude some Iraqi airports from these measures." The office explained that the exception “allows the resumption of flights for humanitarian reasons, related to treatment, study, religious visits, and the interests of civilians.”

A number of Iraqis complained that the implementation of US sanctions forced them to search for solutions. Some of them fear that they will no longer be able to receive treatment in Iran, while others are stuck in Iran and their only option is to return by land to their country, a journey that takes more than 12 hours.

Iraq joined several countries that suspended Iranian flights after US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent said that “all Iranian airlines will stop operating as of September 23.”

Politically, Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to the Iranian leader, attacked the decision to close Iraqi airports, describing the “coordination framework” as “empty” as a result of his silence. The head of the “Al-Nujaba Movement” faction, Akram Al-Kaabi, also launched a sharp attack, calling on citizens to prepare for a sit-in inside Iraqi airports until the American decision is broken.

The First Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Adnan Faihan Al-Dulaimi, threatened to hold a parliamentary session to nullify the government decision if it did not retract it.

In a separate context, OCHA data revealed the presence of 942 checkpoints and obstacles in the West Bank, which re-divides the region into isolated “cantons,” amid an Israeli security alert for fear of an escalation of attacks.