The US Treasury grants Iraq a limited and conditional license to resume Iranian flights through Najaf
The US Treasury grants Iraq a limited and conditional license to resume Iranian flights through Najaf
2026-09-29
Shafaq News – Special Translation
On Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury Department, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), issued a special license to Iraqi Airways allowing it to conduct the usual and necessary transactions to operate passenger transport services between Iraq and Iran – via Najaf Airport – under specific terms and conditions.
According to the text of the license, which bears the number IA-2026-1516078-1, and was translated by Shafaq News Agency, the authorization allows Iraqi Airways, its service providers, and American persons working on its behalf to carry out the transactions necessary to operate flights between the two countries, which were previously permitted under the provisions of the Transactions and Sanctions Regulations relating to Iran and the general license J-1, before those provisions were suspended.
The license expires upon completion of the authorized transactions or on October 28, 2026, whichever is earlier, with OFAC reserving the right to cancel or amend it at any time.
The license specified a narrow range of permitted flights, stipulating that they must depart from and return to Najaf International Airport only, and be limited to transporting Iranian passengers for religious pilgrimage purposes.
It also prohibited the transfer of cash in bulk, shipments intended for Iranian intelligence, military or law enforcement agencies, and any sanctioned persons, including persons affiliated with the Iranian government, or persons affiliated with militia groups allied with Iran.
The license restricts the transport of goods to personal luggage and items necessary for aviation safety, and prohibits the export or re-export of goods, technology, or software to Iran, except as permitted by the provisions specified in the license.
The license stipulates that OFAC has the authority to cancel or amend it, including in the event that the Republic of Iraq fails to fulfill its obligation to restrict Iranian flights from entering or crossing Iraqi airspace, with the exception of flights authorized under the license.
He also confirmed that the authorization does not cover transactions prohibited under other U.S. sanctions regulations, particularly those related to individuals listed on terrorism sanctions lists and foreign terrorist organizations.
The license requires Iraqi Airways to retain records of the transactions covered by it for 10 years, and to submit a report to OFAC within 10 working days of the license expiring.
The report must include the total number of passengers carried by authorized flights, the names of passengers and their passport numbers, as well as the money that Iraqi Airways spent in Iran on fuel, maintenance and other airport-related services.
Iraqi Airways announced on Monday the resumption of its flights to Iranian airports via Najaf International Airport, according to a brief statement received by Shafaq News Agency.
Behind the scenes of the resumption of Iranian flights, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi tasked the Foreign Minister with discussing the matter with officials in the US administration to exempt Iraqi airports from the ban.
Later, a senior source told the agency that the ban on Iranian airlines remains in place.
A senior source at Najaf International Airport confirmed that there were no instructions to resume flights with Iran on Monday.
It should be noted that all foreign companies contracted with Iraqi airports are responsible for providing logistical services to airlines, including fuel supply, maintenance work, and baggage handling, and that these companies work in exchange for money paid in dollars.
However, the US Treasury Department informed foreign companies responsible for airport logistics services in all countries of the world, not just in Iraq, not to deal in dollars with Iranians because of the embargo and economic sanctions.
shafaq.com
