Iraq’s Najaf airport, a major destination for Shiite Muslims, suspended all Iranian flights on Friday, imposing US sanctions, the airport’s director told the AFP news agency. Airport director Hussein Muhanna said that “all flights were suspended between Iran and Najaf airport following a directive from the prime minister’s office to the governor” of Najaf. The airport in the holy city south of Baghdad is a major hub for Iranian flights. holy cities and Iranians visiting holy places in Iraq. The flights also serve Iraqi students studying in Iran and patients seeking medical treatment there. The bond between Iraq and neighboring Iran, both Shiite-majority countries, is deep and determined by both religion and politics. Iranian airline flights were suspended at Najaf airport early Thursday, the airport director said. Several sources, including a senior government official, told AFP earlier this week that Iraq will impose the US ban on Iranian airlines, joining other countries in the region, including the United Arab Emirates. Bessent had said Iranian airlines would “close” on Wednesday and threatened countries that did not comply with being kicked out of the US dollar system. Although land routes are available, Iraq remains a top destination for Iranian airlines, especially after Iraqi airlines stopped flying to Iran at the start of the Iran War in February.CBS/AFP
