Baghdad, 29 September, 2026 (Nosheen): The administration of US President Donald Trump is set to grant a limited one-month waiver to its Iran sanctions program to allow Iraqi Airways to resume flights between Iran and the Iraqi city of Najaf for Shi’ite Muslim religious pilgrims, according to a person familiar with the matter. The source said the US Treasury Department waiver would permit Iraqi Airways to operate flights between Iran and Najaf for one month, with the possibility of a more permanent exemption later. Iraq suspended flights to and from Iran on Friday in line with US sanctions, while Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government has sought an exemption for travel between the two countries for medical treatment, education and religious pilgrimages. An Iraqi official said Baghdad was in talks with Washington over the Najaf exemption and expected flights to resume within 48 hours. The move is aimed at easing pressure on the Iraqi government as it balances relations with Washington and neighbouring Iran. The source said restrictions on flights could create domestic political pressure in Iraq, particularly because millions of Shi’ite pilgrims travel between Iran and Iraq each year to visit religious sites in cities including Najaf. Iraqi authorities have offered safeguards for the flights, including enhanced passenger screening, information sharing and measures to ensure the services are not used to transport weapons, sanctioned individuals or illicit funds. The US State Department referred questions to the Treasury Department, which had not immediately commented.