US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that Iranian airlines could effectively lose the ability to operate internationally from September 23 as Washington intensifies sanctions aimed at cutting Tehran off from the global financial system.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC on Monday, Bessent said foreign airports and companies that continue providing essential services to Iranian carriers could face consequences under the US sanctions regime.
“On September 23, all the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world,” Bessent said.
He explained that Iranian airlines would struggle to operate if foreign airports and aviation companies refused to provide services such as fuel, landing assistance and ticket sales.
“If they land, 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 added.
The warning comes after the United States imposed sanctions on Iranian airlines that had not previously been targeted, alongside companies and intermediaries accused of supporting Iran’s aviation industry. The measures form part of the Trump administration’s wider effort to restrict Iran’s access to international financial networks.
The impact has already begun to spread beyond Iran. Two Iraqi sources told AFP that Baghdad would suspend flights operated by Iranian airlines following the US Treasury announcement. Georgia also barred Iranian carriers from operating in the country, while Iranian airline Mahan Air said it had suspended services to Turkey following a request from the Turkish government.
The latest measures come as tensions between the United States and Iran remain high following months of conflict and economic pressure. Tehran has also faced growing international pressure over its control of the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global energy shipments.
Earlier this month, the US Treasury said it had sanctioned the remaining Iranian airlines that had not previously been subjected to such measures. The department also targeted companies outside Iran that it said were providing support to the country’s aviation sector.
Iran’s aviation industry has faced US sanctions for years, limiting its ability to obtain aircraft, spare parts, technology and maintenance services. The latest measures are expected to further restrict the ability of Iranian carriers to maintain international operations.
Bessent’s latest warning came shortly after economic discussions with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. China remains an important economic partner and diplomatic supporter of Iran.
The US measures are based largely on the threat of secondary sanctions, meaning foreign companies that continue providing certain services to sanctioned Iranian entities could themselves face restrictions on access to the US financial system.
Source: AFP
