US threatens to ground Iranian airlines worldwide from Wednesday

Key Points:

• The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that starting September 23, Iranian airlines could be effectively banned from international travel due to US secondary sanctions targeting foreign companies that continue to service Iran’s carriers.
• The sanctions extend beyond airlines to include airports, fuel suppliers, ticketing companies, and other service providers, warning that any assistance to Iranian airlines could result in exclusion from the US dollar financial system.
• This move is part of the Trump administration’s intensified economic campaign against Iran, following recent sanctions on all remaining Iranian airlines and related foreign companies supporting Iran’s aviation sector.
• Iran’s aviation industry is already severely restricted by longstanding US sanctions, which have hindered the purchase of new aircraft and access to maintenance and spare parts.
• Bessent highlighted ongoing positive discussions with Chinese officials, including Vice Premier He Lifeng and People’s Bank Governor Pan Gongsheng, as China remains a key economic partner of Iran and its cooperation is crucial for US efforts to isolate Tehran financially.