Iraq resumes flights between Najaf and Iranian airports after brief suspension

Iraq has resumed commercial flights between Najaf International Airport and airports in Iran after a temporary suspension that began earlier this week. According to the official Iraqi News Agency, flights restarted late on Monday. The suspension had affected Najaf and three other Iraqi airports, which had halted flights amid concerns over secondary sanctions by the US Treasury Department.

The report noted that "diligent efforts" by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi secured the resumption of normal air traffic between the two neighboring countries. The development came after Iraqi Ambassador to Iran Yasser Abdulzahra al-Hajjaj said that Najaf International Airport would soon resume normal operation of commercial flights between Iraq and Iran. "The Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, is making continuous efforts to resume air travel between the two neighboring countries," Hajjaj said. He added that the Baghdad government had taken no decision to suspend Iranian flights, but rather foreign ground-handling companies had refrained from providing services due to fears of US sanctions.

Earlier on Monday, Iraqis from various segments of society held protests across the country to condemn the Baghdad government's decision to suspend all flights to and from Iran, according to Press TV. The nationwide protests took place outside Najaf International Airport, in the southern city of Nasiriyah, the holy shrine city of Karbala, and the southeastern city of Amarah.

The resumption of flights marks a return to normal air traffic between the two Muslim neighboring countries. The brief suspension had raised concerns about the impact of US sanctions on regional travel and trade. The Iraqi government has not issued an official statement regarding the matter beyond the ambassador's remarks.

According to Mehr News, the flights restarted after efforts by Iraqi officials, and the situation remains subject to further developments.