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

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.