Iraq's Najaf airport halts all Iranian flights under US sanctions

Najaf airport, a main gateway for Shiite pilgrims, halted all flights between Iran and Najaf after a directive from the Iraqi prime minister's office, its director told AFP, enforcing new U.S. sanctions on Iranian airlines.

Why this matters. Iraq is now enforcing Washington's aviation squeeze at its busiest pilgrimage hub, cutting a route used by pilgrims, students and patients and widening pressure on Tehran beyond Baghdad.