Iraqi Deputy Speaker Calls Iran Flight Ban Unconstitutional, Warns of Emergency Session

Iraq's first deputy parliament speaker, Adnan Faihan al-Dulaimi, said on Saturday that restrictions on Iranian civilian flights at Iraqi airports are unconstitutional and warned that parliament could hold an extraordinary session if the decision is not reversed. He said unilateral U.S. sanctions are not a binding obligation on Iraq, and that he had asked the government how it would compensate airlines, hotels and workers and what would follow if Iran halted gas supplies. Najaf, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports have suspended flights to and from Iran. On September 8, Treasury sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines, saying the Iranian regime uses its aviation sector to move weapons, personnel and illicit cargo.