Iran Air has announced that its international flights continue to operate despite Washington's threat to impose new sanctions targeting companies that provide services to Iranian airlines, stressing that it has not received any official order to suspend operations.

According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, the airline said it had not received any official notification or instruction from the civil aviation authorities of Türkiye, Azerbaijan or Iraq regarding the suspension of flights to Istanbul, Baku and Najaf.

The airline said any change in flight permits or operating conditions for those destinations would be communicated through official channels by the relevant aviation authorities.

Flights continue under existing schedule

Iran Air said that, unless an official notification is received, flights on the affected routes will continue according to the current timetable and operating procedures.

The carrier added that passengers would be informed immediately through official channels if any changes to the flight schedule become necessary.

US threatens secondary sanctions

On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said international services operated by Iranian airlines could be disrupted from Wednesday as Washington prepares new sanctions targeting foreign companies that provide fuel, ground handling, ticketing or other services to Iranian carriers.

Speaking to CNBC, Bessent claimed that "all Iranian airlines will cease worldwide operations on September 23," while warning that companies continuing to assist Iranian carriers could face exclusion from the US financial system.

Iranian authorities, however, maintain that no official restrictions have been communicated by the aviation regulators of the countries currently served, and that international flights will continue unless foreign authorities formally notify the airline of any operational changes.(ILKHA)