US Treasury Secretary: Iranian airlines will cease operations globally on September 23

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that all Iranian airlines will cease operations starting September 23, due to the threat of secondary sanctions against aviation service providers. He added that Chinese officials are “deeply engaged” in the US economic pressure campaign against Iran.

Speaking to CNBC after concluding talks late Sunday with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, Bessent said that when an Iranian plane lands at any airport, “you cannot refuel it, you cannot provide landing services, and you cannot sell tickets to it, or you will be excluded from the dollar-based financial system.”

He added that the United States is holding positive discussions with Chinese financial authorities, including People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng, regarding compliance with US sanctions on Iran.