Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, and Sulaimaniyah airports suspended all flights to and from Iran on September 25, 2026, following sweeping new United States aviation sanctions targeting global companies doing business with Iranian carriers. The suspension squeezes Iraq between its regional ties and international financial pressures.
US Aviation Sanctions Force Airport Closures Across Iraq
Four major Iraqi aviation hubs halted operations to Iran as Washington ramps up Operation Economic Outcast, an initiative launched in August 2026 to isolate Iran’s economy. Iraqi state media confirmed that flights from Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, and Sulaimaniyah are grounded.
According to Jack Hewson, reporting from Baghdad for Al Jazeera, Iraq’s central government has issued no formal statement on the halt. Hewson noted that the administration likely wants to avoid antagonizing powerful pro-Iranian factions within the Iraqi parliament.
Companies providing essential ground services, including refueling and baggage handling, refused to risk secondary sanctions. Ground service providers cannot afford to be frozen out of the international US dollar system, forcing carriers to comply.
Regional Fallout and Economic Squeeze on Iran
Iraq historically served as a primary destination for Iranian airlines, particularly after domestic Iraqi carriers halted flights to Iran at the start of the US-Israel war in February 2026. With the new restrictions, passengers face arduous land journeys lasting at least 12 hours depending on their destination.
Did you know? Before the suspension, Iranian carriers typically operated at least 20 daily flights through Najaf alone, according to an Iraqi employee working for an Iranian airline at the airport. Following the directive, only four flights to other destinations remained on the schedule.
Najaf international airport director Hussein Muhanna told the AFP news agency that all flights halted after a directive reached the governor from the prime minister’s office. The Iranian Consulate in Najaf criticized the move sharply on X, writing that Najaf international airport—the shrine of the first Imam of the Shia and the capital of their last Imam—is closed to the largest Shia country in the world.
Al Jazeera reporter Sinem Koseoglu, stationed in Tehran, noted that while Iran is not entirely cut off from global air traffic, its routes have “shrunk considerably.” Iranian airlines now depend on a limited network through Turkiye, Russia, China, and Armenia to maintain operations. Neighboring countries like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have similarly restricted flights to enforce the US bans, defying warnings from the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Iraqi airports suspend flights to Iran?
Airports in Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, and Sulaimaniyah stopped flights to comply with US aviation sanctions targeting any global companies doing business with Iranian carriers.
How are travelers moving between Iran and Iraq now?
With flights grounded, passengers must take land journeys lasting a minimum of 12 hours.
Which regional countries besides Iraq restricted flights to Iran?
The United Arab Emirates and Qatar have also cancelled or restricted flights to enforce the US aviation measures.
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