Iraq’s Najaf airport suspends all flights from Iran on Friday, halting air service between the two countries. The airport director, Hussein Muhanna, tells AFP that the suspension is carried out to enforce US sanctions.
Najaf, a major destination for Shia pilgrims, is located south of Baghdad. The airport director says the route is a key channel for Iranian travel linked to Iraqi and Iranian religious sites, including flights carrying Iraqi Shia pilgrims to Iran’s holy cities, as well as Iranians visiting sacred locations in Iraq. The suspended flights also serve Iraqi students studying in Iran and patients traveling there for medical treatment.
Across the outlets, the core details are consistent: Najaf airport stops all Iranian flights, and the action is based on a directive tied to enforcing US sanctions. Vanguard and Free Malaysia Today emphasize the sanctions enforcement, while Middle East Eye adds that the suspension follows a directive from the prime minister’s office to the governor.
