Iranian Airlines Global Shutdown
The United States has stepped up economic pressure on Iran by targeting its aviation sector. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that Iranian airlines could face severe difficulties operating internationally from September 23.
Speaking to CNBC, Bessent said that all Iranian airlines would be shut down around the world from September 23. The measure, however, relies on secondary sanctions against foreign companies that continue providing services to Iranian carriers rather than a direct worldwide ban on Iranian flights.
The US warning extends beyond Iranian airlines themselves. Foreign airports, fuel suppliers, ground-service providers and ticketing companies could also face sanctions-related risks if they continue supporting Iranian carriers.
Bessent said foreign airports would not be able to provide Iranian aircraft with fuel or landing services without risking access to the US dollar financial system. He also warned companies against selling tickets for Iranian airlines.
The approach therefore seeks to restrict the wider international infrastructure that Iranian carriers need to operate abroad.
The proposed measures are based on the leverage of the US financial system. Foreign companies that continue doing business with sanctioned Iranian carriers could potentially face restrictions on their access to dollar-based transactions.
The latest warning follows a major sanctions action announced by the US Treasury Department on September 8.
The Treasury said its action targeted 36 individuals and entities supporting Iran’s aviation sector. Washington alleged that the sector is used by the Iranian government to move weapons, personnel and illicit cargo.
The September 8 action also targeted foreign intermediaries and companies involved in supporting Iran’s aviation network.
The campaign has been described by the US administration as ‘Operation Economic Outcast’. Washington says the broader strategy is designed to increase economic pressure on Tehran and disrupt networks supporting Iran’s aviation and other strategic sectors.
The potential impact could extend beyond individual airlines. International aviation requires access to fuel, airport facilities, ground handling, ticketing systems and financial services.
If foreign companies decide to stop providing those services to Iranian carriers because of the risk of US secondary sanctions, Iranian airlines could find it increasingly difficult to maintain international routes.
Iranian airlines have already operated under US sanctions for years. Those restrictions have affected their access to aircraft, spare parts, maintenance and other aviation-related services.
The actual scale of the impact from September 23 will depend partly on how foreign airports, service providers and other companies respond to the US warning.
Iran has not yet issued a detailed public response to Bessent’s latest warning, according to reports. Meanwhile, several countries have already taken steps affecting Iranian airline operations.
The latest move adds aviation to the growing list of sectors through which Washington is seeking to increase economic pressure on Tehran. The decisions taken by foreign aviation companies and airports in the coming days will determine how extensively the measures affect Iran’s international air connectivity.
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