All Iranian Airlines Face Global Shutdown as US Sanctions Threat Takes Effect

21/09/2026

All Iranian Airlines Face Global Shutdown as US Sanctions Threat Takes Effect

WASHINGTON, Sep 21: All Iranian airlines could be effectively shut out of international operations from September 23 as the United States threatens secondary sanctions against companies providing them with aviation services, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday.

Bessent told CNBC that companies providing fuel, landing services or ticket sales to Iranian airlines could risk losing access to the US dollar financial system.

“When Iranian airlines land at an airport, 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,” Bessent said.

His comments came after talks Sunday with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. Bessent said Chinese officials had been “very engaged” in the US economic pressure campaign against Iran.

The Treasury secretary also said Washington was holding positive discussions with Chinese financial authorities, including People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng, over compliance with US sanctions against Iran.

The warning follows a sweeping US Treasury sanctions action on September 8 targeting 27 Iranian airlines and other companies and individuals involved in Iran’s aviation sector. Washington said the measures were intended to cut off financial and logistical support for Iranian airlines.

Iran’s aviation sector has already faced significant disruption. Mahan Air recently suspended several international routes amid mounting sanctions pressure, while the US measures have also targeted ground-service providers and sales agents supporting Iranian carriers.