Iran airlines resume flights to Iraq’s Najaf after US exemption

Iranian airlines resumed flights to Iraq’s Najaf on Sunday after the United States granted Baghdad an exemption allowing sanctioned Iranian carriers to operate to the city holy to Shia Muslims, AFP reported. On Friday, the Iraqi government said it had secured an agreement with the US allowing Iranian airlines, except Mahan Air, to operate 40 daily flights to and from Najaf. Last month, Iraq enforced the US ban on Iranian carriers, especially at Najaf’s airport, which is a major hub for Iranian flights. The US also granted Iraqi Airways, the national carrier, a waiver to fly between Najaf and Iran, with the flights expected to start this month.