Najaf Airport: Our Flights to Iran Continue as We Await Baghdad's Decision

Muthanna al-Talqani, deputy director of media and public relations at Najaf International Airport, said on Wednesday that flights to and from various destinations, notably those to and from Iran, continue according to published schedules.

Al-Talqani said, "Najaf International Airport continues to operate flights according to the published schedules, and there are no impediments in this regard."

He added that "the airport is committed to the instructions and directives issued by the Iraqi government regarding air traffic, and if any decision is made to suspend flights to Iran, the airport administration will comply with and implement it."

He pointed out that "flights are proceeding smoothly and there is no stoppage according to the schedules announced by airlines," noting that "no instructions to suspend flights have been issued so far by the Iraqi government, the Najaf governorate, or the relevant authorities in the Civil Aviation Authority."

Al-Talqani confirmed that "Najaf International Airport is prepared to implement any decision issued by the competent central authorities, and to comply with binding directives related to suspending or resuming flights."

Iranian authorities had informed Iraq of the possibility of not receiving incoming flights from all countries, as of yesterday (Tuesday), with the possibility of extending the decision for several days, according to a security source.

Later, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the day before yesterday (Monday) that Iranian airlines would stop operating worldwide within two days.

The US ban on Iranian airlines has had repercussions for Iraqi travel agencies: some companies began canceling flights or replacing them with land transport, while others stopped accepting new air bookings amid a lack of official notices.

Travel agencies in Baghdad, Najaf and Diwaniyah warned of the decision's impact on their operations, especially since air transport is the basis of their activity; overland travel may be difficult for patients and the elderly, with trips from Iraq to Qom taking about 12 hours.

The travel sector between the two countries relies heavily on flights to carry Iranian visitors to Iraqi shrines and Iraqi visitors to Iran, while sources said Baghdad would comply with the US restrictions, despite not having officially announced measures in this regard at the time.