Iraq is holding direct talks with the United States to exempt some Iraqi airports from sanctions that have halted Iranian airline flights, seeking to restore services for medical treatment, education, religious visits and other civilian needs. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's office said the government is also pursuing regional de-escalation and urged dialogue to resolve the conflict. The effort follows US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's statement that Iranian airlines' worldwide operations would stop on Sept. 23 under new sanctions, with Iraq, Oman and the United Arab Emirates among regional countries barring Iranian flights. Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah had suspended services to and from Iran, disrupting religious travel and forcing many passengers onto overland routes. The aviation restrictions come amid renewed US-Iran hostilities after a June interim deal failed to settle disagreements over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.