Iraqi Airways flights between Iran and the Iraqi city of Najaf resumed on Monday, Iraq’s official news agency reported. The flights had been suspended due to new US restrictions on Iranian airlines, and the resumption follows intervention by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, as well as protests in the country, including by Iran-backed militias. 

What happened: The Iraqi News Agency reported that flights between Najaf and “Iranian airports” had resumed, citing “diligent efforts by PM Ali al-Zaidi.” 

Earlier, Iraqi Ambassador to Iran Yasser Abdul-Zahra Al-Hajjaj said that the flights had stopped due to fears of US sanctions. 

“The government had not issued any decision to halt flights with Iran; rather, foreign ground-handling companies had refrained from providing services due to fears of US sanctions,” said the ambassador, according to the agency.