Iraqi Airways is preparing to transport Shiite pilgrims between Tehran and Iraq's holiest sites after a diplomatic push to ease the aviation blockade. Ambassador Yasser Abdulzahra al-Hajjaj announced Monday that services to Najaf International Airport would resume within 24 hours, claiming Baghdad never formally banned the traffic but that foreign ground-service companies halted operations to avoid U.S. penalties. The Trump administration is deliberating a limited U.S. Treasury waiver for one month, according to a person involved in the talks, which would specifically permit Iraqi Airways to carry pilgrims to and from Najaf.

The reversal follows a total suspension of Iranian flights on Sept 25 at Najaf, Baghdad, Erbil, and Sulaimaniya airports after Washington threatened sanctions on companies assisting Iranian carriers. The outage triggered mass protests outside Najaf airport and led to criticism from the Iraqi parliament and Lebanon's Hezbollah. U.S. officials are evaluating whether the initial monthly exemption could lead to a more permanent arrangement to support religious, medical, and educational travel.