Iraq Says It Is in Direct Talks With U.S. to Exempt Some Airports From Iranian Airline Ban

Iraq's government is holding direct talks with the United States to exempt some Iraqi airports from U.S. Treasury measures on Iranian airline flights to regional airports, the Iraqi prime minister's media office said on Saturday. The statement said an exemption would let flights resume for humanitarian reasons, including medical treatment, study, religious visits and civilian interests; it named no airports and gave no timeline. On September 8, Treasury sanctioned 36 targets, including 27 Iranian airlines, saying the Iranian regime uses its aviation sector to move weapons, personnel and illicit cargo. The Iraqi statement also called on all parties to pursue dialogue and negotiation to end the current crisis.