Leaders of Iraq’s Coordination Framework held a consultative meeting on Sunday evening to discuss the repercussions of the decision to prevent Iranian aircraft from landing at Iraqi airports and possible political options for addressing the measure, with Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi in attendance.
A source within the framework said the meeting was convened at the invitation of Supreme Islamic Council leader Hammam Hammoudi. State of Law Coalition leader Nouri Al-Maliki and Badr Organization chief Hadi Al-Amiri were absent due to personal commitments, turning the gathering into a consultative session among the attending leaders.
The source said the prime minister briefed participants on the main issues discussed during his meetings with US President Donald Trump and senior US administration officials, as well as the expected course of developments amid the ongoing political and military situation in the region.
The Iranian flight ban was among the main issues discussed, particularly its repercussions for Iraq and relations with Tehran, as well as possible arrangements to lift the measure or limit its consequences.
The source added that the issue is also expected to be raised during Monday’s meeting of Iraq’s four presidencies, alongside several major domestic issues. The prime minister has reportedly received approval to pursue solutions on a number of these matters in a way that serves Iraq’s interests.
The Coordination Framework is also expected to hold another meeting on Monday evening after the four-presidencies meeting to continue discussions on key political developments, including the Iranian flight restrictions.
The Iraqi government previously announced that it had begun direct talks with the US administration to seek exemptions allowing Iranian flights to continue operating at several Iraqi airports.
The move follows US Treasury sanctions announced on September 8 against 36 entities linked to Iran’s aviation sector, including 27 airlines. The measures took effect last week and prompted mixed reactions among travel, tourism and land-transport businesses in Iraq.
