Iraq Secures US Exemption for Iranian Flights to Najaf

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced Friday that Iraq had reached an agreement allowing Iranian airlines to operate flights to and from Najaf International Airport under a US exemption.

The agreement permits 40 flights a day on the routes covered by the arrangement, opening the way for Iranian carriers to serve the Iraqi airport.

Mahan Air is excluded from the exemption. The announced permission applies to other Iranian airlines.

The announcement did not specify when the arrangement would take effect or how long the exemption would remain in place.