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Iran's foreign ministry congratulated Iraq on the departure of the last US and UK coalition forces under a two-year-old withdrawal deal, calling it 'a very important and necessary step' for Iraqi sovereignty and demanding Washington be held accountable for past 'irreparable consequences.' In a related development, Iraq announced flights between Iran and Najaf would resume, with a US waiver allowing Iranian airlines (excluding Mahan Air) to operate up to 40 daily flights. The moves reflect warming Iran-Iraq ties following the end of the anti-Islamic State coalition mission in Iraq, and signal incremental easing of some restrictions on Iran's regional connectivity even as broader sanctions and military tensions persist.