US Treasury Threatens Secondary Sanctions to Ground All Iranian Airlines Globally
Photo: Collected
United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that foreign companies assisting Iranian airlines will face secondary sanctions, a move that could effectively isolate Iranian carriers from operating international routes starting tomorrow, Wednesday.
Speaking to CNBC on Monday, Bessent stated that effective September 23, operations of all Iranian airlines worldwide will effectively shut down. The warning extends beyond the airlines themselves to target airports, fuel suppliers, ticket-selling agencies, and other businesses abroad that these carriers rely on for international operations.
Detailing the enforcement mechanism, Bessent explained that if these airlines land, they cannot be provided with fuel, ground handling services, or ticket sales. Entities violating these directives will face exclusion from the US dollar-based financial system, he added.
This threat marks the latest escalation in economic pressure by the administration of US President Donald Trump against Tehran amid ongoing hostilities between the two nations. Earlier this month, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on previously unlisted Iranian airlines alongside several foreign companies accused of supporting Iran's aviation sector.
Decades of US sanctions have already severely restricted Iran's aviation industry, complicating procurement of new aircraft, spare parts, and maintenance services. The latest measures form part of broader efforts to entirely disconnect Iran from the international financial system. Under these secondary sanctions, foreign companies engaging in trade with Iran across energy, maritime shipping, technology, gold, and digital assets face potential penalties.
The remarks follow meetings between Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Fengshu, ahead of a scheduled meeting between US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. China remains a key economic partner and diplomatic ally of Tehran, positioning Beijing's cooperation as a critical factor in Washington's bid to financially isolate Iran.
Bessent claimed that Chinese officials have been "very actively engaged" in US pressure efforts against Iran, noting positive ongoing discussions with Chinese financial authorities regarding compliance with US sanctions.
