Najaf religious scholars protest ban on Iranian flights

Religious scholars and students in Najaf held a protest at the Imam al-Jawad Mosque in Kufa to denounce the Iraqi government's decision to ban Iranian aircraft from entering Iraqi airspace. The protesters argued that Iraq's strategic interests are tied to Iran and emphasized the shared religious, historical, and geographic ties between the two nations.

The ban follows the implementation of U.S. sanctions on Iranian airlines, which has resulted in many Iraqi travelers being stranded at Mashhad airport in Iran. The protesting group, known as the ‘Scholarly Gathering in Iraq/Najaf’, called on the government to protect Iraqi sovereignty and make decisions based on national interest rather than external pressures or foreign dictates.

In their statement, the group highlighted Iran's historical support for Iraq during critical periods, such as the fight against terrorism. They urged the government to review its current measures and seek exemptions for humanitarian reasons, such as medical travel, education, and religious pilgrimages, to ensure the continuity of civilian interests.