TEHRAN: Iran Air has said it has not received any official flight ban notice from neighboring countries.
The statement came ahead of new US sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector. The sanctions are expected to tighten from Wednesday.
Iran Air said it had received no instructions to stop flights to Turkey, Azerbaijan or Iraq. The statement was carried by Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
The airline currently operates routes to several nearby destinations. These include Istanbul, Baku and Najaf.
The announcement follows warnings from the United States about Iranian airlines. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iranian carriers could face major operating restrictions.
Bessent said the measures would affect Iranian airlines from September 23. He also warned companies supporting these carriers about possible US sanctions.
The US measures could affect services needed by airlines. These include fuel, airport services and ticket sales. Such restrictions could make international operations more difficult.
The latest measures come after years of US sanctions against Iran’s aviation industry. Iran has around 27 airlines, with most focused on domestic routes.
Iran Air and Mahan Air are among the main carriers operating international services. Their international networks mainly cover neighboring countries.
They also operate flights to destinations including Russia and China. The new sanctions could therefore affect regional and international travel.
However, reports indicate that some restrictions have already started affecting Iranian airlines. Georgia has barred Iranian carriers from its territory.
Mahan Air has also suspended its services to Turkey. The airline said the suspension followed a request from the Turkish government.
Iraqi sources have also indicated that Baghdad would suspend flights by Iranian airlines. The move was linked to the latest US sanctions announcement.
These developments have created uncertainty around the flight ban situation. Iran Air, however, said it had not received formal instructions from Turkey, Azerbaijan or Iraq.
The situation could further affect passengers traveling to and from Iran. Restrictions on international services may reduce available travel options.
Iran’s aviation sector has already faced significant challenges this year. Israeli-American strikes in late February led to the closure of Iranian airspace.
Air traffic later resumed partially. However, international travel remained heavily restricted.
According to reports, Iranian carriers were among the airlines allowing passengers to leave Iran. Further restrictions could create additional difficulties for travelers.
The exact impact of the new US measures remains uncertain. The implementation of the sanctions will determine how international routes are affected.
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For now, Iran Air maintains that it has received no official flight ban notification from the three neighboring countries mentioned in its statement.
