The closure of Iraqi airports to Iranian aircraft has plunged Iraqi society into a state of anger, coupled with astonishment and surprise at the decision.
Since early Friday—when Najaf Airport officially announced it would cease serving Iranian passengers and close its airspace to Iranian planes—a wave of anger and disbelief has swept through the Iraqi online community.
Over the past two days, Iraqi public figures, lawmakers, and social media users have issued statements and voiced their positions, urging the Iraqi government to pursue a path of independent decision-making and the preservation of national sovereignty, rather than yielding to US pressure.
The outcry has escalated to the point where, yesterday, Sheikh Akram al-Kaabi—Secretary-General of the Al-Nujaba Movement—threatened to call on the Iraqi people to stage sit-ins at airports if flights did not resume; today, rumors of such sit-ins beginning are already circulating on social media.
Additionally, former Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Closing Iraqi airspace to our neighbor, ally, and friend is a grave mistake, a disregard for national sovereignty, and a sacrifice of our national interests and future."
He then called on Al-Zaydi’s government to reverse the decision, stating: "Retracting a decision is better than persisting in an error."
However, users on X primarily directed their criticism at Faleh Al-Zaydi’s government, arguing that it is unbecoming of a Shiite government to submit to the hegemony of the US and Trump. Below are some comments from users regarding this matter:
Najaf al-Ashraf is the capital of Shi'ism.
• Najaf al-Ashraf Airport must remain open to all pilgrims, especially for flights from Iran.
• Najaf al-Ashraf Airport belongs to all Shi'as.
• The Iraqi government should bear in mind the fate of all the tyrants who blocked the path of Imam Hussein’s (AS) pilgrims.
The ban on Iranian flights at Iraqi airports—particularly at Najaf al-Ashraf and Baghdad airports—requires a diplomatic review, and respect for this matter must be upheld.
The United States wields significant global influence, including in Iraq; however, constantly yielding to Trump’s demands is a dangerous misstep that harms Iraq, its national decision-making, and the character of its majority population.
