US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced that all Iranian airlines will lose the ability to operate internationally starting September 23. He stated that this measure would be enforced by threatening to impose US “secondary sanctions” on companies that provide aviation-related services to Iranian airlines.
In an interview with the US media outlet CNBC on Monday, Bessent said, “When an Iranian airline lands at an airport, it cannot be refueled, provided with landing services, or have its tickets sold. Doing so would result in the company being cut off from the dollar-based financial system.”
Bessent made these remarks after concluding discussions with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Sunday night.
He stated that Chinese officials are “very actively involved” in the US campaign to exert economic pressure on Iran. Bessent also noted that positive discussions are underway with Chinese financial authorities regarding compliance with US sanctions on Iran.
He claimed that Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China (the country’s central bank), is also participating in these discussions.
