--- title: "US grants sanctions waiver for flights to Iraqi holy city for Iranian pilgrims" description: "Most outlets led with the U.S. granting a sanctions waiver for flights to Najaf, a holy city in Iraq, allowing Iranian pilgrims to travel there. Arab News Pakistan added that the waiver is conditional and confirmed by Iraqi officials and airport sources, while 24 News HD specified that the waiver applies to Iraqi Airways and was announced by the transport ministry." url: https://harzaviya.com/stories/11219-us-to-grant-sanctions-waiver-for-flights-between-iran site: HarZaviya language: en --- # US grants sanctions waiver for flights to Iraqi holy city for Iranian pilgrims world · updated 29 Sep 2026, 8:20 PM PKT · 28–29 Sep 2026 · 9 articles from 6 outlets over 2 developments ## How it developed Newest development first. Each carries its own coverage and, where we have one, our summary of it. ### 29 Sep 2026 — US grants sanctions waiver for flights to Iraqi holy city for Iranian pilgrims (4 outlets) > Most outlets led with the U.S. granting a sanctions waiver for flights to Najaf, a holy city in Iraq, allowing Iranian pilgrims to travel there. Arab News Pakistan added that the waiver is conditional and confirmed by Iraqi officials and airport sources, while 24 News HD specified that the waiver applies to Iraqi Airways and was announced by the transport ministry. - **BOL News** — [Iraqi Airways to resume Iran flights in October after U.S. sanctions waiver](https://www.bolnews.com/world/iraqi-airways-to-resume-iran-flights-in-october-after-us-sanctions-waiver) · 29 Sep 2026, 8:20 PM PKT > Iraqi Airways will resume flights to Iran in October after Iraq secured a one-month U.S. Treasury sanctions exemption, with services initially planned from Najaf. - **24 News HD** — [US to allow flights between Iraq holy city and Iran](https://www.24newshd.tv/29-Sep-2026/us-allow-flights-iraq-holy-city-iran) · 29 Sep 2026, 8:05 PM PKT · 80% identical wording to the newest filing > The United States has granted Iraqi Airways, the national carrier, a sanctions waiver allowing it to fly to Iran, Iraq's transport ministry said on Tuesday. - **Business Recorder** — [Iraqi Airways to resume Iran flights in October after securing 'special exemption'](https://www.brecorder.com/news/40441810/iraqi-airways-to-resume-iran-flights-in-october-after-securing-special-exemption) · 29 Sep 2026, 7:20 PM PKT · 92% identical wording to the newest filing > BAGHDAD: Iraqi Airways is preparing to resume flights to Iran in October, Iraq’s transport ministry said on Tuesday, following a suspension of flights amid US sanctions restricting services to Iranian airlines. The ministry said Iraq had secured a special exemption allowing Iraqi Airways to operate services to Iran. Iraq halted flights to and from Iran on Friday in line with US sanctions, and t... - **Arab News Pakistan** — [US to allow Iran pilgrims to fly to holy city in Iraq: Iraqi officials](https://www.arabnews.pk/middle-east/us-to-allow-iran-pilgrims-to-fly-to-holy-city-in-iraq-iraqi-officials-3002690) · 29 Sep 2026, 6:05 PM PKT · 76% identical wording to the newest filing > The United States has granted a waiver for Iraqi airlines to operate flights for Iranian pilgrims to Najaf, Iraq, a city sacred to Shia Muslims. Iraqi officials and airport sources confirmed the conditional exemption. ### 28 Sep 2026 — US to grant sanctions waiver for flights between Iran and Iraq's Najaf, source says (3 outlets) > Most outlets reported the US sanctions waiver for flights between Iran and Iraq's Najaf, citing a source, and noted Iraq's earlier halt of flights in line with US sanctions. The Express Tribune added context about Trump’s Iran blockade and its regional implications, while ARY News briefly mentioned the Iraqi government's action. Arab News Pakistan provided only the core detail without additional framing. - **Arab News Pakistan** — [US to grant sanctions waiver for flights between Iran and Iraq’s Najaf, source says](https://www.arabnews.pk/middle-east/us-to-grant-sanctions-waiver-for-flights-between-iran-and-iraqs-najaf-source-says-3002637) · 29 Sep 2026, 2:13 AM PKT - **ARY News (English)** — [US to grant sanctions waiver for flights between Iran and Iraq’s Najaf, source says](https://arynews.tv/us-to-grant-sanctions-waiver-for-flights-between-iran-and-iraqs-najaf-source-says) · 29 Sep 2026, 12:48 AM PKT · 93% identical wording to the newest filing > Iraq halted ​flights to and from Iran on Friday, in line with US sanctions.The source said the ⁠move aimed to ease pressure on the Iraqi - **The Express Tribune** — [US to grant sanctions waiver for flights between Iran and Iraq's Najaf, source says](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2631919/us-to-grant-sanctions-waiver-for-flights-between-iran-and-iraqs-najaf-source-says) · 28 Sep 2026, 6:30 PM PKT · 86% identical wording to the newest filing > Trump’s Iran blockade is forcing regional states to scale back ties, risking backlash from Tehran ## Part of a bigger story Other stories whose coverage resembles this one, nearest first. "% related" compares whole stories, not single articles — see [what the percentages mean](https://harzaviya.com/methodology). - [Iran airlines resume flights to Najaf after US exemption](https://harzaviya.com/stories/12016-iraq-says-it-got-us-exemption-for-iranian-flights) · 5 Oct 2026 · 5 outlets · 2 developments · 90% related - [Iraq seeks exemption from US ban on Iran airlines](https://harzaviya.com/stories/10777-iraq-seeks-exemption-from-us-ban-on-iran-airlines) · 27 Sep 2026 · 4 outlets · 81% related - [Najaf airport suspends Iranian flights to comply with US sanctions](https://harzaviya.com/stories/10606-iraqi-holy-city-suspends-iranian-airlines-enforcing-us) · 26 Sep 2026 · 3 outlets · 81% related - [Three Iraqi airports suspend Iranian flights starting Friday, sources and state media say](https://harzaviya.com/stories/10620-three-iraqi-airports-suspend-iranian-flights-starting-friday) · 26 Sep 2026 · 4 outlets · 75% related - [US removes sanctions on aviation entities linked to Iran’s IRGC](https://harzaviya.com/stories/1946-us-lifts-sanctions-on-three-entities-linked-to-iran-s-irgc) · 6 Aug 2026 · 5 outlets · 2 developments · 73% related 9 articles from 6 outlets, 28–29 Sep 2026. 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