US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that Iranian carriers could face a complete suspension of international flight operations by 23 September, as the administration intensifies pressure on overseas firms supplying services to those airlines. Bessent stated in a television interview that all Iranian carriers stood to lose their global operating access, remarks made as the standoff between the two nations enters its seventh month.
The notice extends beyond Iranian carriers alone. Penalties under US law could extend to airports, fuel suppliers, ticketing agencies, and other aviation-related businesses that maintain commercial ties with the affected carriers.
Bessent outlined that Iranian airlines stood to lose access to overseas services such as refuelling, airport facilities, and ticketing, adding that any entity providing those services risked exclusion from the dollar-based financial system. He stated that the restrictions may leave Iranian carriers unable to fly international routes by 23 September.
The approach relies on secondary sanctions, exposing overseas companies to the threat of being cut off from the American financial system if they maintain business ties with Iranian shipping firms under sanctions.
As of the time of reporting, no public statement from Iran had been issued in response to Bessent's most recent remarks. A number of nations have already introduced restrictions targeting Iranian airline operators.
According to two unnamed sources in Iraq, Baghdad was set to halt flight operations by Iranian carriers following an announcement from the US Treasury. Mahan Air announced the halt of flights to Turkey following a request from Turkish authorities, while Iranian carriers have separately been barred from operating within Georgia.
Prolonged international sanctions on Iran's aviation industry have restricted the nation's access to new aircraft, replacement components, and maintenance support. The US Treasury announced new sanctions this month targeting Iranian airlines not previously subject to such measures, as well as overseas entities alleged to have provided support to Iran's aviation sector.
The measure has the potential to place additional strain on firms that Iranian carriers rely upon for their international operations.
The remarks from Bessent followed a bilateral meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on economic affairs, held in advance of a scheduled encounter between President Trump and President Xi Jinping. Beijing serves as a notable trade partner and diplomatic ally for Tehran.
American efforts to impose penalties on firms maintaining ties with Iranian entities may introduce an additional source of friction into the bilateral trade relationship between the two nations.
Hostilities between the US and Iran are reported to have escalated from late February, following airstrikes attributed to both American and Israeli forces against Iranian targets. Iran took reciprocal action, while mounting tensions between the two sides also affected shipping movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a passage that plays a central role in worldwide energy supply.
Airspace across the nation was closed following the outbreak of hostilities. Flights operated by Iranian carriers continue to face widespread disruption, even as limited services have been restored on certain routes.
Should the measures outlined by Bessent be enacted, Iranian carriers may encounter greater obstacles in obtaining fuel, ground handling, and ticketing assistance, with their capacity to sustain international routes potentially affected.
