Iraq Wins U.S. Permission to Resume Iran Flights, Prime Minister Says

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Published: 2026-10-03T10:33:49.114Z • Permanent link

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced that Iraq has been granted permission to resume flights to and from Iran, following the lifting of broad US penalties on the Iranian aviation industry. The decision marks a significant shift in the complex relationship between the two countries, which has been strained since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iraq's Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, has hailed the move as a major breakthrough, stating that it will "open up new opportunities for trade, commerce, and tourism between our two great nations." The US Treasury Department had imposed strict sanctions on Iran's aviation sector in 2018, citing concerns over the country's ballistic missile program and support for terrorism. However, in recent months, the Trump administration's hardline stance on Iran has been relaxed, and the Biden administration has taken a more measured approach to the crisis.

The decision to lift the sanctions has been met with skepticism by some in the US Congress, with several lawmakers warning that it could embolden Iran's authoritarian regime. However, US officials argue that the move is a pragmatic step towards reducing tensions between the two countries, which have been on the brink of conflict on several occasions in recent years. Iraq's government has long been critical of Iran's interference in its internal affairs, and the resumption of flights is seen as a key step towards normalizing relations between the two nations. The US has also expressed concerns over the security situation in Iraq, where sectarian violence and militia activity remain a major concern.

Details of the deal are still sketchy, but it is believed that the US will lift the sanctions on Iranian airlines and aviation companies, allowing them to operate flights to and from Iraq and other countries in the region. The move is expected to have a significant impact on Iraq's economy, which relies heavily on trade with neighboring countries. Iraq's government has also announced plans to increase its own aviation security measures, following a series of attacks on airports and airlines in recent months.

The resumption of flights between Iraq and Iran has significant implications for several key sectors, including energy, finance, and logistics. The two countries are major players in the global energy market, and the lifting of sanctions is expected to boost oil production and exports from Iran. However, the move also raises concerns over the impact on regional security, particularly given the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran. Several major energy companies, including ExxonMobil and Royal Dutch Shell, have operations in both countries, and the resumption of flights is expected to boost trade and investment in the region.

The lifting of sanctions also has implications for Iraq's financial sector, which has been struggling to attract foreign investment in recent years. The US has long been a major source of foreign investment for Iraq, and the resumption of flights is expected to boost tourism and trade between the two countries. Several major airlines, including Iran Air and Iraqi Airways, have already announced plans to resume flights between the two countries, and the move is expected to create new opportunities for business and investment in the region.

The decision to lift sanctions on Iran's aviation industry is part of a broader pattern of US policy towards the country, which has been marked by a series of competing approaches over the past few years. The Trump administration's hardline stance on Iran was characterized by a series of maximum-pressure sanctions, which were designed to isolate the country and force it to abandon its nuclear program. However, the Biden administration has taken a more measured approach, seeking to reduce tensions between the two countries while also maintaining pressure on Iran's authoritarian regime.