ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Commercial flights between Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, and Iran were suspended on Friday as Iraqi airports moved to comply with tightened United States sanctions targeting Tehran's aviation sector. "We are abiding by the regulations. This is not solely within Iraq's authority; it is an international decision," a source from the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Rudaw’s Malik Mohammed, noting that "the suspension will continue until the [US] sanctions [on Iran] are lifted." The suspension follows an announcement on Monday by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declaring a global shutdown of all Iranian airlines and warning that entities providing fuel, landing services, or tickets would be "knocked out of the dollar system." Washington in late August imposed a sweeping sanctions package against Tehran dubbed Operation Economic Outcast. The measures were expanded in September to target 36 entities, including 27 active carriers, covert front companies and foreign intermediaries accused of transporting weapons, personnel and illicit cargo. "In the context of the sanctions on Iran, flights by Iranian airlines to Erbil International Airport have been suspended, starting today," a senior official in Erbil told Rudaw’s Soran Hussien on Friday. A scheduled Mahan Air flight from Tehran to Jalal Talabani International Airport in Sulaimani was also canceled on Friday. Kirkuk International Airport spokesperson Hardi Samad told Rudaw's Soran Hussein that the airport did not previously handle Iranian flights and was unaware of nationwide restrictions. Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader, meanwhile warned on Friday against regional countries aligning themselves with Washington's measures, writing on X that siding with US “hostile policies” would not be forgotten by the Iranian public and adding that Tehran's approach remains defined. "Flying in the region is either free for everyone, or for no one," Mokhber said, adding that if Iran cannot operate flights or receive airport services, "no country in the region will be able to either." Most Iranian air traffic to Iraq previously operated through Baghdad and Najaf, largely serving religious pilgrims. Najaf International Airport became the last airport in the country to suspend Iranian flights on Friday. The suspension follows an earlier move by Iranian authorities to halt flights to Baghdad after privately owned ground-service providers refused to service Iranian carriers over fears of US sanctions. The restrictions have affected Iranian airlines including Mahan Air, Zagros, Qeshm, Caspian and Taban across Iraq's international airports.
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