Iran halts ticket sales for flights to Iraq

Iran's civil aviation authority has halted ticket sales for flights to Iraq until further notice. Najaf is among the routes affected, and flights there stopped on Thursday morning.

Airlines must refund passengers in full for suspended flights, with no fees deducted, the authority said.

Carriers are expected to add domestic flights to Iranian airports near the Iraqi border to move stranded travellers. Permits and slots for those flights will be issued at short notice, according to the authority.

Travellers have been told not to buy tickets to Iraq until the suspension is lifted.