US Threatens Global Grounding of Iranian Airlines with Secondary Sanctions Starting Wednesday

United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Iranian airlines could effectively be barred from international travel starting Wednesday, as Washington issues warnings of secondary sanctions against foreign companies that continue to service the nation's carriers.

“On September 23, all the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world,” Scott Bessent stated during an interview with CNBC on Monday.

This severe warning extends beyond the airlines themselves, targeting airports, fuel suppliers, ticketing agencies, and various other businesses essential for their international operations. “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,” Scott Bessent explained.

This aggressive measure represents the latest escalation in the economic campaign led by United States President Donald Trump against Tehran, persisting amid the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. Earlier this month, the US Treasury placed sanctions on all remaining Iranian airlines previously untouched, alongside foreign companies accused of backing the country's aviation sector.

Iran's aviation sector has long suffered under extensive US sanctions, severely restricting its ability to purchase new aircraft, secure spare parts, and access maintenance services. These actions form a wider sanctions framework designed to completely isolate Iran from the global financial system, with secondary penalties targeting international companies engaging with Iran in energy, shipping, technology, gold, and digital assets.

Meanwhile, Scott Bessent reported that China has been “very engaged” following discussions with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, which preceded a scheduled meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. As one of Iran's vital economic and diplomatic allies, Beijing's compliance is crucial to Washington's strategy, with Scott Bessent noting productive negotiations with Chinese financial authorities, including People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng, regarding enforcement of the sanctions.