Iraq denies banning Iranian flights as Iran Air reports no notification

Iraqi government sources have denied issuing any decision to prevent Iranian aircraft from using Iraqi airspace or landing at Iraqi airports, as the United States prepares to tighten sanctions on Iran's aviation sector. 

The denial coincides with an announcement from Iran Air, the national carrier, stating it has not received any official notification to suspend its flights to Iraq, Turkey, or Azerbaijan.

Iraqi government sources told Al Arabiya that, so far, there is no decision preventing Iranian planes from crossing Iraqi airspace, nor is there a ban on their landing at Iraqi airports.

Similarly, Iran Air announced on Tuesday that it has not received any notification from neighboring countries regarding a ban on its flights, on the eve of increased US sanctions on Iran's aviation sector, according to Agence France-Presse.

In a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency, Iran Air said it has not received any notice or official instructions from civil aviation authorities in Turkey, Azerbaijan, or Iraq regarding the suspension or halt of its flights to Istanbul, Baku, or Najaf.

These developments come amid reports of possible restrictions on Iranian flights in neighboring countries, as the US increases pressure on Iran's aviation sector. However, both Iraqi sources and Iran Air confirm that no official ban or notification has been issued so far.