Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that all Iranian airlines will be grounded worldwide from September 23, with secondary sanctions targeting firms that support them.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that, on September 23, all Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world. He said the United States will threaten foreign companies with secondary sanctions if they continue to service the carriers, including airports, fuel suppliers and ticketing firms.
The warning follows a Treasury action earlier in the month that placed sanctions on all remaining Iranian airlines not previously targeted, as well as on non‑Iranian companies accused of supporting Iran’s aviation sector. The sanctions add to a long‑standing U.S. regime that has limited Iranian carriers’ ability to acquire aircraft, spare parts and maintenance services.
Bessent noted that secondary sanctions could affect foreign firms across energy, shipping, technology, gold and digital‑asset sectors, and said China’s officials had been “very engaged” in the U.S. pressure campaign after recent talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng.
The report provides limited detail on how the sanctions will be enforced or the immediate impact on specific airlines or service providers.