US to grant limited waiver for Iran-Iraq pilgrim flights

Key facts

• The US administration was set to grant a limited waiver to its Iran sanctions program.
• The waiver will allow flights carrying Shi'ite Muslim religious pilgrims between Iran and Iraq's Najaf.
• The US Treasury Department waiver would permit Iraqi Airways to fly between Iran and Najaf for one month.
• Iraq had halted flights to and from Iran in line with US sanctions.
• The move aims to ease pressure on the Iraqi government, which seeks to deepen ties with Washington while balancing a relationship with Iran.
• Iraqi officials expected flights between Iran and Najaf to resume within 48 hours.

The Trump administration was preparing to issue a limited waiver to its Iran sanctions program to permit flights between Iran and the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf in Iraq, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter. The waiver, expected from the US Treasury Department, would allow Iraqi Airways to conduct flights for one month, with the possibility of a more permanent exemption to follow.

Iraq had previously halted flights to and from Iran in compliance with US sanctions. This move is intended to alleviate pressure on the Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, which is navigating deepening ties with Washington while maintaining a relationship with neighboring Iran.

Al-Zaidi's office had stated over the weekend that Iraq was pursuing exemptions for travel related to medical treatment, education, and pilgrimage. An Iraqi official indicated that talks with the US were ongoing and flights were anticipated to resume within 48 hours.

Several countries, including Turkey, the UAE, and Iraq, have recently canceled direct flights with Iran due to US pressure, prompting threats from Iranian officials to halt regional air travel if these links continued to be severed. The situation is particularly sensitive for Iraq, given the annual travel of Shi'ite pilgrims between the two countries.

According to the source, barring these flights could provoke a significant backlash against the Iraqi government by uniting Shi'ite factions, potentially undermining US efforts to reduce Iranian influence in Iraq. Safeguards, including rigorous screening and information sharing, have been offered by Iraq to ensure flights are not used for illicit purposes.