Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The US administration is studying granting a limited waiver from Iran’s sanctions program to allow aircraft transporting Shia Muslims to and from Iraq for religious pilgrimages.

According to Reuters, the US Treasury Department permission would allow Iraqi Airways to operate flights to and from the Iraqi city of Najaf for one month, with the potential of extending the waiver later.

On September 25, Najaf International Airport announced the suspension of all flights arriving from and departing to Iran.

The airport administration suspended all flights arriving from and departing to Iran, effective from 02:00 on Friday, September 25, 2026, until further notice, according to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA).

The consequences of the new US sanctions on Iran’s aviation sector are developing quickly, as governments, airports, and airlines rush to reassess their relationships with Iranian carriers, fearing secondary sanctions from Washington.

The development has led to the suspension and cancellation of several international flights and disrupted Iran’s air transport network.

These measures follow a new package of US sanctions comprehensively targeting Iran’s aviation sector, including companies that provide refueling, maintenance, ground handling, and ticketing services to Iranian carriers.

Amid mounting fears about losing access to the dollar-based global financial system, several businesses have decided to suspend or reduce their activities with Iranian airlines.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the new measures aim to intensify economic pressure on Iran, noting that Iranian airlines would face increasing difficulties in operating international flights if foreign airports and service providers refused to deal with them.