BAGHDAD: Iraq has suspended Iranian flights at all four airports where they were operating after Erbil and Sulaimaniya halted services on Friday, according to state media.
Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaimaniya are now covered by the restrictions. Iraq’s state news agency reported the Najaf suspension earlier on Friday.
Baghdad had already stopped accepting Iranian flights from Wednesday, two sources told Reuters. Officials had previously discussed redirecting those services to Najaf.
Najaf International Airport said flights to and from Iran were suspended until further notice under directives from the relevant authorities.
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Washington had announced sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector. The US Treasury said on September 8 that it sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines and warned companies supporting them of possible financial restrictions.
Separately, the United Arab Emirates suspended flights operated by Iranian airlines on Thursday until further notice. Its civil aviation authority cited US restrictions on Iranian carriers.
No resumption date for the Iraqi routes was given. Flights between Iran and all four Iraqi airports serving those routes have been suspended after Erbil and Sulaimaniya joined Baghdad and Najaf.
