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Iraq says 40 daily Iranian flights cleared to fly to and from Najaf

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The Straits Times. (2026, October 2). Iraq says 40 daily Iranian flights cleared to fly to and from Najaf. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/iraq-says-40-daily-iranian-flights-cleared-to-fly-to-and-from-najaf

Dated when The Aporia collected the article, usually within hours of publication. Check the original for its exact date and byline.

The Straits Times · collected 2026-10-02 · by The Straits Times

Quick Summary

Iraq has allowed 40 daily flights from Iranian airlines, except for Mahan Air, to operate between Najaf and Iran starting October 2. This decision follows a suspension due to US sanctions but includes an exemption granted by the United States specifically for religious pilgrims traveling between the two countries. The Iraqi prime minister's office thanked the U.S. government for its cooperation in issuing this waiver.
Written by AI on 2026-10-04, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

On September 23, 2026, the U.S. announced sanctions against Iranian airlines, disrupting travel between Iran and Iraq. Four major Iraqi airports halted all flights to and from Iran in compliance with these sanctions. This action significantly impacted Shia pilgrims traveling for religious visits, students studying across borders, and patients seeking medical treatment.

In response, Iraq began direct talks with the U.S., requesting exemptions that would allow humanitarian flights, including those for medical treatment and education, to resume. The Iraqi government emphasized the importance of these travel routes due to cultural ties between Shia-majority countries.

On September 28, sources close to President Donald Trump's administration indicated a limited waiver would be granted for flights specifically carrying religious pilgrims between Iran and Iraq’s Najaf city for one month. Following this announcement, commercial flights resumed on Monday at the Najaf airport, allowing up to 40 daily Iranian flights excluding Mahan Air.

Iraqi officials stated that this move appreciates U.S. cooperation in addressing Iraqi needs while also facilitating communication links between the two nations. Additionally, Iran's ambassador highlighted that roughly 12,000 to 13,000 people travel daily via these airlines, underscoring the significant impact of the suspension on both countries' populations.

Written for “US Exemption For Iraqi Flights” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 5 other(s) covering the same event.

Story

📰 US Exemption For Iraqi Flights
Politics · 6 article(s) covering the same event. Compare every outlet's account →

Compared with similar articles

This article reads unscored and hedges 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.
Iraq grants Iranian airlines 40 daily Najaf flights after US exemption Same event
Al Jazeera
Hedges 2 of 19 claims Outlet record 60/100
US to grant sanctions waiver for flights between Iran and Iraq's Najaf, source says Same event
The Straits Times
⚖️ Leans left Hedges 1 of 14 claims Outlet record 66/100
Iranians stock up on food and medicine as fears of new US fighting grow Different event
Al Jazeera
⚖️ Leans left Hedges 1 of 36 claims Outlet record 60/100
“The articles describe different aspects of the relationship between Iran, Iraq, and US sanctions: one focuses on Iranians stockpiling goods due to sanctions, while the other reports on the resumption of flights between Najaf in Iraq and Iran.”
‘Victim’ Iraq balks at sanctioning Iranian airlines ahead of DC talks: ‘We don’t want to be part of this conflict’ Different event
New York Post
⚖️ Leans left Hedges 0 of 25 claims Outlet record 66/100
“Article A discusses Iraq's reluctance to sanction Iranian airlines, while Article B reports on a decision allowing daily flights between Iran and Najaf airport in Iraq.”
Trump’s Iran crackdown collides with NATO ally seeking access to America’s prized fighter jet Different event
Fox News
Hedges 8 of 49 claims Outlet record 69/100
“The articles describe different countries' responses to US sanctions on Iranian airlines, with Article A focusing on Turkey and Article B on Iraq's decision to allow flights.”
Iran urges Iraq to lift flight ban amid US sanctions Different event
Al Jazeera
Hedges 3 of 14 claims Outlet record 60/100
“While both articles discuss flight restrictions due to US sanctions, Article A covers Iran urging Iraq to lift the ban and condemning US sanctions, while Article B reports on a new decision by Iraq allowing specific flights from Najaf airport.”
Flights between Iraq’s Najaf and Iran resumed as Tehran protests US curbs Different event
Al Jazeera
⚖️ Leans left Hedges 2 of 13 claims Outlet record 60/100
“The articles describe related events, but Article A focuses on the resumption of flights after a temporary suspension due to US sanctions fears, while Article B specifies details about daily flight allowances and an exemption for religious pilgrims granted by the US Treasury.”
How this article was measured signals, leaning charts, publisher record, byline, topics and claims

Signals How these are calculated →

Claims extracted
7
sentences that state something as happening or true
Uncertain
0%
0 of 7 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")
Leaning
not political
takes no side on a contested political question
Publisher signals
66/100
The Straits Times's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.
Outlets on this story
6
Politics
Same framing elsewhere
1
articles that frame the event the way this one does
Analyzed 2026-10-04 · how these are computed

How this is being covered How these are calculated →

Article leaning vs. publisher reliability
Source leaning vs. consistency

Publisher

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Running correction rate · 5 correction(s)
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Who wrote this

The Straits Times
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Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.
All 2549 articles by The Straits Times →

Topics

Iran Iranian Iraq Iraqi Najaf

Subjects

Iraq GPE · 4× Iran GPE · 3× Iranian NORP · 3× Iraqi NORP · 3× Mahan Air ORG · 2× Najaf GPE · 2× Reuters ORG · 2× Muslim NORP · 1× Shi'ite NORP · 1× US Treasury ORG · 1×

Narrative

Iranian airlines excluding Mahan Air are allowed 40 daily flights to and from Iraq's Najaf international airport, the Iraqi prime minister's office said on Friday, following a suspension of flights due to US sanctions.
framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-10-04
🔮 Reuters reported earlier this week that the US was set to grant a one-month US Treasury waiver to allow for flights carrying Shi'ite Muslim religious pilgrims between Iran and Iraq •
2026-10-04 · The Straits Times
Iraq says 40 daily Iranian flights cleared to fly to and from Najaf · assertive framing

Claims (7 extracted, 0 hedged)

Iraq says 40 daily Iranian flights cleared to fly to and from Najaf Oct 2 - asserted
flights → say → Najaf
Iranian airlines excluding Mahan Air are allowed 40 daily flights to and from Iraq's Najaf international airport, the Iraqi prime minister's office said on Friday, following a suspension of flights due to US sanctions. asserted
office → exclude → sanctions
Iraq had halted flights to and from Iran last week, in line with US sanctions • asserted
Iraq → halt → sanctions
Reuters reported earlier this week that the US was set to grant a one-month US Treasury waiver to allow for flights carrying Shi'ite Muslim religious pilgrims between Iran and Iraq • asserted
US → report → Iran
The Iraqi government had sought exemptions for travel related to pilgrimage, medical treatment and education • asserted
government → seek → pilgrimage
"The Prime Minister appreciates the positive response shown by the US government to Iraqi efforts and its cooperation in granting the requested exemption," the statement said • asserted
statement → appreciate → exemption
The US accuses Iranian carrier Mahan Air of transporting Iran's Revolutionary Guards personnel, as well as weapons and drones. asserted
US → accuse → personnel
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