US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says all Iranian airlines will be shut down as Washington intensifies economic pressure on Tehran
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said all Iranian airlines will be shut down from September 23 as Washington intensifies economic pressure on Tehran.
Speaking to CNBC’s Squawk Box, Bessent said the US would target services supporting Iranian airlines, including fuel, landing services and ticket sales.
He warned that companies providing such services could be cut off from the US dollar financial system.
“If they land, 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 Washington was pressuring Iran “like never before” by targeting what he described as the country’s enablers around the world, including banks.
Last week, the US Treasury announced sanctions against Russia’s state-controlled VTB Bank as part of efforts to economically isolate Iran by targeting its business partners and financial enablers.
Separately, the Group of Seven (G7) nations has condemned continued attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels against Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
The group has also reportedly seized Yemen’s Perim Island in the Red Sea, increasing its presence near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The development has heightened concerns over Iran and its proxies potentially exerting influence over two major oil chokepoints — the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz.
The Bab el-Mandeb provides an important alternative route for oil exports seeking to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, particularly for Saudi Arabia, which can use its East-West pipeline to divert some oil shipments to the Red Sea.
The G7 statement followed reports that the UK would support Saudi Arabia in dealing with Iranian-backed Houthi attacks.
The Royal Air Force is reportedly providing air-to-air refuelling support for Saudi aircraft under an arrangement expected to last several weeks and remain under review.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the move was aimed at protecting British and regional interests, including keeping oil supply routes open.
The development came after US President Donald Trump reportedly declined a request from Riyadh for assistance against the Houthis and cancelled a planned airstrike.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also recently indicated that European allies could discuss possible support for Saudi Arabia, saying he would not be surprised if discussions were taking place among European countries on how to respond to the situation.
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