The Iraqi government is negotiating with Washington to restore air travel for religious pilgrims traveling from Tehran to the shrine of Imam Ali. A person with direct knowledge says the US is considering a 1 month sanctions waiver for flights into Najaf, while Iraq's ambassador to Tehran, Yasser Abdulzahra al-Hajjaj, announced on Monday that services would resume within 24 hours. Al-Hajjaj claimed that Baghdad never formally banned the flights but that foreign ground-handling companies stopped operating due to fears of US penalties, as mass protests broke out outside the airport.

The potential waiver follows the Sept 25 suspension of all Iranian airline operations at the Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, and Sulaimaniya airports to comply with US Treasury measures targeting companies that assist Iranian carriers. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's office has sought exemptions for humanitarian and medical needs to end the aviation blockade, which drew criticism from Iranian officials and the Iraqi parliament. Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament called the initial ban a violation of the constitution, urging a reversal to maintain regional stability.