Najaf–Iran flights resume amid secondary sanctions concerns

Iraqi Airways resumed commercial flights between Najaf and Iranian airports on Monday, according to Iraq’s state-run Iraqi News Agency. Services had been temporarily suspended at Najaf and three other Iraqi airports amid concern that handling flights linked to sanctioned Iranian carriers could expose airports and contractors to US secondary sanctions.

The resumption follows US sanctions on Iranian airlines taking effect on 23 September. The supplied report says foreign airports and companies servicing sanctioned carriers could face secondary penalties; it does not report that penalties have been imposed.

Iran filed a complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization over the US aviation sanctions, according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency. Iran’s civil aviation chief, Abuzar Shiroudi, told IRNA that the organisation had ruled in Iran’s favour. The supplied material provides no independent confirmation of that claim.

Shiroudi also said Iran had brought a separate case before the International Court of Justice concerning attacks on airports, aircraft and radar systems. He said the case remains under review, with any compensation dependent on the court’s final ruling.

The report does not specify which other Iraqi airports suspended services or provide the schedule for the resumed flights. It says Iranian aviation continues to operate on some routes, including flights to East Asia, citing Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency.