Najaf airport suspends flights to and from Iran until further notice

• The airport says the decision follows official instructions from Iraqi authorities.
• Suspension will remain in place until further notice.

Najaf International Airport in Iraq has suspended all incoming and outgoing flights connecting the airport with Iran until further notice, according to an official notice issued by the airport administration on Friday.

The suspension took effect at 2 a.m. (2300 GMT Thursday) on Sept. 25, the notice said.

The airport said the decision was made in accordance with instructions issued by the relevant higher authorities in Iraq and directed managers of airlines and operating stations at the airport to implement the measures immediately.

All airlines and other entities involved in flights to and from Iran were instructed to comply with the suspension and refrain from taking operational measures related to the affected flights during the period.

The airport administration said it would remain in contact with airlines and station managers and would issue formal notification of any new instructions, including any decision to resume flights.

US sanctions

The suspension comes amid mounting U.S. pressure on Iran's aviation sector. On Sep. 8, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 36 entities linked to Iran's aviation industry, including Iranian airlines and companies accused by Washington of helping Tehran obtain aircraft, equipment and other aviation-related goods. 

The United States subsequently warned that companies providing services to Iranian airlines, including fuel, landing and other airport services, could face secondary sanctions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iranian airlines would effectively be shut out of international operations from Sept. 23.

The pressure has already affected flights between Iran and Iraq. On Sep. 22, Iraqi authorities ordered the suspension of Iranian flights to Baghdad airport, according to two sources cited by Reuters, after Washington threatened sanctions against airports that continued servicing Iranian carriers.

Iranian authorities had subsequently sought to redirect Baghdad-bound flights to Najaf. Iran's Civil Aviation Organization said it was coordinating with Iraqi authorities over the move, while Iran Air said on Sep. 22 that its flights to Najaf were still operating as scheduled at that time.

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