Ankara:Iraq is engaged in direct discussions with the United States to secure an exemption for certain Iraqi airports from US sanctions that target Iranian airlines operating in the region. These talks, as reported by officials on Saturday, aim to allow flights to resume for humanitarian purposes, including medical treatment, education, religious visits, and civilian interests.

According to Anadolu Agency, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's office released a statement emphasizing the government's efforts to reduce regional tensions. The statement highlighted the importance of resolving ongoing crises to prevent further complications and urged all involved parties to engage in dialogue and negotiations for the benefit of regional countries and their populations.

Earlier in the week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Iranian airlines' operations worldwide would cease as of September 23 due to new sanctions, affecting Iranian flights in several regional countries, including Oman, the UAE, and Iraq.

In recent developments, following a February conflict initiated by the US and Israel against Iran, which resulted in thousands of casualties and subsequent Iranian attacks on Israeli and US sites, a temporary resolution was reached in June. However, hostilities resumed as negotiations stalled over disagreements concerning the strategic Strait of Hormuz.