Tehran: Iran is calling on Iraq to remove restrictions affecting Iranian flights, adding a new diplomatic issue to relations between the two neighbouring countries amid continuing regional tensions.

The request follows measures affecting air travel between the two countries after developments involving international sanctions and heightened security concerns.

Iranian officials have urged Iraqi authorities to reconsider restrictions on Iranian aviation services and restore normal air connectivity where possible. Tehran has argued that maintaining regular transportation links is important for citizens, businesses and bilateral relations.

Air connections between Iran and Iraq are particularly significant because the two countries maintain extensive economic, religious and social ties. Large numbers of people regularly travel between the neighbouring states for business, family visits and religious purposes.

The restrictions have therefore attracted attention from both governments as officials assess their impact on travel and commercial activity.

The dispute also comes against a broader backdrop of tensions involving Iran and the United States. Washington has maintained extensive sanctions on Iran, while Tehran has continued to oppose measures that restrict its economic and international activities.

Iraq faces a delicate position because it maintains relations with both Iran and the United States. Baghdad has sought to protect its national interests while managing its relationships with major regional and international partners.

The issue of aviation restrictions illustrates the practical consequences that wider geopolitical disputes can have on neighbouring countries.

Iranian officials are seeking diplomatic engagement with Iraq to resolve the matter. Any agreement could help restore smoother travel links and reduce disruption for passengers using routes between the two countries.

For Iraq, decisions involving Iranian flights must also take into account aviation security, international regulations and its broader foreign-policy considerations.

The development highlights the close but sometimes complicated relationship between Tehran and Baghdad. While the countries maintain strong economic and cultural connections, Iraq must also navigate pressure arising from competing regional and international interests.

Further diplomatic discussions are expected as both sides consider how to address the flight restrictions.

The dispute over air connectivity is therefore becoming another test of Iran-Iraq relations. A negotiated resolution could help preserve normal cross-border travel, while continued restrictions could add another layer of difficulty to economic and people-to-people ties between the neighbouring countries.