TEHRAN — A commercial flight operated by Iraq's national carrier landed in Tehran on Thursday, Iranian state media reported, marking the first foreign airline to conduct operations to the Iranian capital since February 28.
The arrival follows a sanctions waiver granted by the United States specifically for Iraq's national airline, permitting it to operate flights to Iran despite broader U.S. restrictions on the country.
Washington maintains comprehensive sanctions against Iran that have severely limited international commercial air travel to and from the country. The resumption of flights by an Iraqi carrier reflects the complex economic and diplomatic ties between Baghdad and Tehran, which share a border and significant trade links.
For Iran, the re-establishment of this air route offers a direct connection that had been unavailable for more than seven months.
