ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iran on Thursday received the first Iraqi flight arriving at Imam Khomeini International Airport from Najaf airport after Baghdad secured a US sanctions exemption for air links between the two countries.

“The first foreign flight, operated by Iraqi Airways, successfully landed at Imam Khomeini Airport after taking off from Najaf airport,” Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB said, adding, “The flight will operate as a round trip.” 

On Monday, Iraq’s transport ministry said Iraqi Airways is expected to resume direct flights to Iran on Thursday, with the new operational plan set to include daily flights from Najaf airport to Mashhad, Tehran and Isfahan.

The resumption follows a US Treasury waiver granted to Iraqi Airways in late September after Baghdad sought an exemption from US sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector. 

The sanctions had disrupted air links between Iraq and Iran after Washington warned that companies providing services to Iranian airlines could face sanctions. Iraq suspended flights to and from Iran at several airports, including Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaimani.

The restrictions prompted Iraq to seek exemptions, citing the importance of flights for religious pilgrims, medical treatment, education and other civilian travel.

On Sunday, the first Iranian flight was received at Najaf Airport following Washington’s measures against Tehran.

Iran-aligned Iraqi armed groups and parties condemned the government's halt of flights.

On Friday, Iraq announced a separate agreement allowing Iranian airlines, except Mahan Air, to operate up to 40 daily flights to and from Najaf airport. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s office said the agreement followed Baghdad’s efforts to secure an exemption from Washington and thanked the US government for its cooperation.

Mahan Air remains excluded from the arrangement. The US Treasury has accused the airline of playing a role in enabling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) despite the airline presenting itself as a civilian carrier. 

In late September, Iran submitted a complaint to the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) over the US sanctions and measures against Tehran.