Iraq’s Najaf suspends Iranian airlines in move to enforce US sanctions

Iraq’s Najaf suspends Iranian airlines in move to enforce US sanctions

Iraq's Najaf airport suspended all Iranian flights on Friday, enforcing US sanctions, the airport director said.

Airport director Hussein Muhanna told AFP that the flights have been halted between Najaf, a holy city south of Baghdad, following a directive from the prime minister's office to the governor.

Najaf's airport is a major hub for Iranian flights, mainly carrying Iraqi Shia pilgrims to Iran's holy cities  or Iranians visiting sacred sites in Iraq.

The flights also serve Iraqi students studying in Iran, and patients seeking medical treatment there.