Conflicting reports have emerged in recent hours over the status of flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from Iraq.
While some reports said Baghdad had formally ordered the suspension of Iranian airlines’ flights to Baghdad Airport, follow-ups by Tasnim’s correspondent in Najaf found that flights from Iran to Najaf were continuing according to previously announced schedules without disruption.
Earlier reports also claimed that Iraq had joined countries implementing illegal US sanctions against Iranian airlines by preventing flights to and from Iran.
However, an informed source told Tasnim that Iraq’s Ministry of Transport was not responsible for the non-acceptance of Iranian aircraft.
The source said the Civil Aviation Authority, affiliated with the Council of Ministers, is the body responsible for issuing flight-related permits in accordance with international laws and regulations.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported that the issue involving Iranian aircraft was linked to handling and ground-service companies rather than Iraqi airports themselves.
According to the agency, the companies are private, nongovernmental firms contracted by Iranian airlines and had declined to provide services out of concern over potential sanctions.
The agency said Iraqi airports provide the necessary space for private companies to offer services in return for payment and do not intervene in the contractual arrangements between those companies and airlines.
Separately, Iran Air announced that its flights to Najaf Airport would continue.
An informed official at Najaf Airport also told Tasnim that neither the Iraqi government nor the Civil Aviation Authority had so far issued any directive to halt Iranian flights.
The official said flights were continuing according to the established schedule.
The uncertainty has also raised concerns among Iraqi travel and tourism companies, which rely heavily on air links between Iraq and Iran.
Travel companies say a suspension of Iranian flights would directly affect passengers, particularly Iraqi families currently in Iran for medical treatment.
The situation has also caused concern among Iraqi students residing in Iran.
Some travel companies said that around 90% of their activities depend on Iranian flights and that maintaining the routes is essential to their revenues and financial obligations.
Iraqi travel companies have also warned that the cancellation of flights to and from Iran would result in significant losses, as daily ticket sales are needed to cover employee salaries, taxes and operating expenses.
Meanwhile, the developments have prompted reactions and criticism in Iraqi public opinion, with some calling for US sanctions not to be treated as binding decisions for Iraq.
They have pointed to the distinctive nature of Iraq-Iran relations and the high volume of passenger traffic between the two countries.
Critics of implementing the US sanctions argue that a broad suspension of flights could affect passengers and disrupt the tourism, medical treatment and education sectors, while also inflicting significant economic losses.