US to Shut Down All Iranian Airlines via Secondary Sanctions, Bessent Says
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said all Iranian airlines will be shut down on September 23 through the threat of secondary sanctions on air services providers.
All Iranian airlines are set to be shut down on September 23 under the threat of secondary sanctions on air services providers, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday.
Speaking to CNBC after wrapping up talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng late on Sunday, Bessent outlined the scope of the pressure: any airport that handles Iranian carriers risks being cut off from the dollar system.
"You cannot provide them with fuel, you cannot provide them with landing services, you cannot sell them tickets, or you will be knocked out of the dollar system," he said.
Bessent also said Chinese officials have been "very engaged" in the US economic pressure campaign against Iran. He described Washington's discussions with Chinese financial authorities, including People's Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng, as positive, focusing on compliance with US sanctions on Iran.
The remarks signal that Washington is pressing major trading partners to fall in line with its Iran measures, with aviation services emerging as a key point of enforcement.