EXCLUSIVE: US to grant sanctions waiver for flights between Iran and Iraq's Najaf, source says

The United States government is reportedly moving to grant a sanctions waiver specifically for flights operating between Iran and the Iraqi city of Najaf. According to an exclusive report from Reuters, this decision comes from a source indicating that the US will allow these specific air links. This development occurs as the Donald Trump administration weighs the implications of a limited sanctions waiver for Iran-Iraq flights, as detailed in coverage from The Jerusalem Post. The move specifically targets the route to Najaf, potentially easing some of the travel restrictions that have impacted regional movement between the two neighboring nations. Major news outlets are focusing on the divergent nature of current air travel trends in the region. Al Jazeera reports that flights between Najaf and Iran have already resumed, noting that this happens while Tehran continues to protest US curbs.

Meanwhile, Reuters emphasizes the exclusivity of its reporting regarding the official US waiver. The coverage highlights a complex landscape where some links are being restored while others are facing severe pressure. The specific focus on Najaf suggests a targeted approach to sanctions rather than a broad lifting of restrictions on all Iranian aviation activities. Contextual reporting from Iran International indicates that Iran is currently experiencing shrinking air links, a trend that is reportedly raising costs and straining regional ties. This overarching decline in connectivity provides the background for why the Najaf waiver is significant. The strain on regional ties mentioned by Iran International suggests that the limitation of flights has had diplomatic and economic consequences beyond simple travel.

The decision by the Trump administration to consider this specific waiver appears to be a calibrated response within a broader environment of strict US curbs and Iranian protests against those measures. Looking forward, the region faces further aviation disruptions. According to sources cited by Türkiye Today, all Iranian flights to Türkiye are expected to be halted in early October. Observers will be watching to see if the resumption of flights to Najaf serves as a model for other routes or if the halt in Türkiye represents a broader tightening of Iranian air access. The timeline provided by Türkiye Today indicates a looming deadline in early October that will further shift the map of regional air connectivity while the US manages its sanctions regime.