Iraq given US exemption for Iranian flights to and from holy city

Iraq given US exemption for Iranian flights to and from holy city The United States has granted sanctions exemptions for some Iranian airlines to operate flights to Iraq's holy city of Najaf, the Iraqi prime minister's office said on Friday. It said Baghdad had secured "an agreement allowing Iranian airlines, with the exception of Mahan Air, to operate 40 flights daily to and from Najaf" , a city sacred to Shia Muslims. The US announced sweeping new sanctions targeting Iranian airlines last month as part of its efforts to pressure Iran's economy, with the two sides still to make peace in…