US Treasury approves waiver for Iranian flights to Iraq

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein announced on Friday, October 2, 2026, that U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent has agreed to exempt religious pilgrimage flights to holy sites in Iraq from secondary sanctions imposed on Iranian aviation, following intensive bilateral talks held in Washington. The decision resolves mounting diplomatic friction surrounding the status of Najaf International Airport, granting legal clarity for passenger arrivals while shielding Iraqi aviation infrastructure from punitive measures. In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) and reported by the 964 Network, Hussein outlined that discussions with Bessent encompassed the overarching trajectory of U.S.-Iraqi economic and security ties, regional fiscal stability, and the spillover impacts of American sanctions enforcement on the domestic Iraqi economy. Hussein specifically raised the operational paralysis facing Najaf International Airport—a vital national transport hub serving millions of international religious pilgrims annually—emphasizing that economic restrictions should not impede lawful civilian travel or religious observances. Secretary Bessent acknowledged Iraq’s sovereign concerns, formally approving a targeted waiver for flights directed toward the holy shrines. During the diplomatic session, Hussein reaffirmed Baghdad’s appreciation for past U.S. and International Coalition support in the campaign to defeat Daesh (ISIS), while reiterating the federal government’s constitutional roadmap under Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi to monopolize arms under the state and maintain sole authority over war and peace. Commending Washington’s accommodation, Hussein noted that recognizing the importance of religious freedom and facilitating pilgrim transit reflects shared values of mutual respect and tolerance, reinforcing a stable, long-term bilateral partnership between Iraq and the United States.