Iraqi Airways to resume Iran flights in October under US exemption

Iraqi Airways is preparing to resume flights to Iran in October, Iraq's transport ministry has said, following a suspension of flights amid US sanctions restricting services to Iranian airlines.The ministry said on Tuesday 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 the government had sought exemptions for travel related to pilgrimage, medical treatment and education.The transport ministry said services next month would initially operate from the Shia holy city of Najaf once regulatory and technical requirements were completed.The announcement comes afterReutersreported on Monday that the US administration was set to grant a one-month US Treasury waiver allowing Iraqi Airways to fly between Iran and Najaf, with a more permanent exemption potentially following.Baghdad had offered safeguards including passenger screening and information sharing, as well as measures to prevent the flights being used to transport weapons, sanctioned individuals or illicit money, a source with direct knowledge of the matter toldReuters.