Iraqi Airways Restores Najaf–Iran Flights as Tehran Challenges U.S. Aviation Sanctions at ICAO

Tehran has lodged a formal complaint with the UN aviation agency over U.S. sanctions that triggered regional flight cancellations.

28 Sep 2026

Iraqi Airways has resumed commercial flights between the central province of Najaf and Iranian airports, the state-run Iraqi News Agency reported.

Services restarted on Monday after Najaf and three other Iraqi airports temporarily suspended operations due to concerns over U.S. secondary sanctions targeting aviation providers linked to Tehran.

The move enables Iraq’s flag carrier to circumvent standoffs with international contractors who had halted handling services for Iran-linked flights over fears of secondary penalties.

Tehran contests sanctions at ICAO

Earlier on Monday, Iran filed a formal complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) over U.S. aviation sanctions, according to the official IRNA news agency.

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization chief, Abuzar Shiroudi, told IRNA that coordinated efforts with the Foreign Ministry are underway to restore flights through legal channels. Shiroudi stated that ICAO had ruled in Iran’s favor regarding its formal protest over the U.S. measures.

Shiroudi also disclosed that Tehran has filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice in The Hague over attacks on airports, aircraft, and radar systems. The case remains under review, and any compensation will depend on the final ruling, he added.

Iran’s civil aviation chief said the country is seeking explanations from several nations regarding halted flight routes through diplomatic channels.

U.S. sanctions on Iranian airlines took effect on September 23, exposing foreign airports and companies that service sanctioned Iranian carriers to the risk of secondary sanctions. The measures have not grounded Iranian aviation entirely.

According to the semi-official Fars news agency, the CEO of Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport said flights to East Asia are operating without cancellations.

Airports in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraq, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates have recently cancelled flights by Iranian airlines.

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