The Iraqi government's decision to enforce the US Treasury Department's ban on Iranian aviation remains highly contentious, as factions within the ruling Coordination Framework refuse to comply despite Baghdad's officially declared commitment to the policy.
According to a government source, Baghdad has received a serious American warning against receiving any Iranian airline at Iraqi airports. The government of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi had, however, requested that Washington grant it an exemption from the flight ban for certain airports, including Najaf airport, for humanitarian reasons.
According to an informed political source, "Iraq is currently caught between the American hammer and the Iranian anvil."
The source told Asharq Al-Awsat that "the situation in reality appears extremely difficult, as complying with Tehran's desire to completely ignore the flight ban could result in sanctions that Iraq can no longer tolerate.”
“This is particularly critical given that a shipment of US dollars is scheduled to arrive in Baghdad soon, as part of successful talks held by al-Zaidi with the US administration, specifically President Donald Trump, during his participation in the United Nations General Assembly meetings,” it added.
According to the informed political source, "leaders of the Coordination Framework are attempting to strike a middle ground during their discussions with and in the presence of al-Zaidi, in terms of not going too far in defying the US decision, while simultaneously declaring their support for the PM’s efforts to secure a single exemption, even if only for Najaf airport."
A government source confirmed on Sunday that Baghdad "has received a serious and direct American warning that continuing to receive any Iranian airline at Iraqi airports exposes the airport, as well as the entities and companies providing services to these flights, to US sanctions."
"The Americans made it clear to the Iraqi government that the punitive measures will not be limited solely to the sanctioned Iranian airlines, but could also extend to any entity or airport providing services or facilitating the operation of those companies' flights, including landing, ground handling, refueling, and other services,” it said.
"This warning has left the government with a single option: to avoid exposing Iraqi airports, the aviation sector, and the operating entities to US sanctions,” it continued.
"The decision was not linked to an Iraqi political stance regarding air traffic with Iran, but rather came as a result of the legal and economic risks resulting from US sanctions,” it explained.
