Iranian state media said on Thursday the first foreign-operated commercial
flight since the Middle East war began — an Iraqi Airways service — landed in
Tehran from Najaf. State TV footage showed the round-trip pilgrimage service.
The US last month approved a sanctions exemption for Iraqi Airways to operate
pilgrim return flights between Najaf and Iran, and Iraq said last week it had
reached an agreement with the US allowing Iranian carriers, excluding Mahan Air,
to operate daily return flights to Najaf.
