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US Grants Sanctions Waiver for Iran-Iraq Flights to Najaf
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CNBC TV18•28-09-2026, 23:46
US Grants Sanctions Waiver for Iran-Iraq Flights to Najaf
- •The US will grant a limited, one-month waiver to its Iran sanctions program, allowing Iraqi Airways to operate flights between Iran and Najaf, Iraq, for Shi'ite Muslim religious pilgrims.
- •The move aims to ease pressure on Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's government, which seeks to balance ties with both Washington and Tehran.
- •Iraq had halted flights to and from Iran on Friday in compliance with US sanctions, but is now in talks with the US to resume flights to Najaf within 48 hours.
- •The waiver is intended to prevent backlash against the Iraqi government from uniting Shi'ites who follow Iran's supreme leader and Iraq's Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
- •Zaidi's government has offered safeguards, including rigorous screening and information sharing, to ensure flights are not used for illicit transfers.
Key Questions Answered
The US Treasury Department waiver allows Iraqi Airways to operate flights between Iran and the Iraqi city of Najaf for a duration of one month, with the possibility of a more permanent waiver following.
The move aims to ease pressure on Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's government, as halting flights entirely could provoke a severe backlash by uniting different Shi'ite factions in Iraq.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi offered safeguards including rigorous passenger screening, information sharing, and guarantees that flights will not be used to transfer weapons, sanctioned individuals, or illicit money.
