On 29 September, Watan TV (Badr Organization — affiliated) attributed to Hamid al-Musawi, spokesman for Badr’s parliamentary bloc, the allegation that the Najaf governor insistently sought Transport Ministry approval to stop Iranian aircraft landing at Najaf airport. Al-Musawi said the investment-run airport was not subordinate to the ministry or obliged to implement the ban, and asked the governor to explain his insistence. Reuters had reported a proposed, limited US sanctions waiver for Iraqi Airways flights between Iran and Najaf; it did not confirm the governor’s alleged request.
- internazionale.it28 Sept, 20:49
“The US Treasury Department waiver would allow Iraqi Airways to fly back and forth between Iran and Najaf for one month.”
The US Treasury Department waiver would allow Iraqi Airways to fly back and forth between Iran and the Shi’ite holy city of Najaf in Iraq for one month
- Watan TVBadr Organization — affiliated29 Sept, 07:30
“Hamid al-Musawi: The Najaf governor insistently asked the Transport Ministry to approve preventing Iranian aviation from landing at Najaf airport. Najaf airport is investment-run, is not subordinate to the ministry and is not obliged to implement the ban; the governor should explain his insistence.”
حامد الموسوي: محافظ النجف طلب من وزارة النقل و"بالاحاح" الموافقة على منع الطيران الايراني من الهبوط في مطار النجف الاشرف ... مطار النجف (استثماري) وغير تابع لوزارة النقل وغير ملزم بتطبيق قرار المنع وعلى المحافظ ان يوضح سبب اصراره على المنع
The two accounts distinguish permission for Iraqi Airways to operate the route from permission for Iranian aircraft to land at Najaf.