Washington: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iranian airlines would face a worldwide operational shutdown from Wednesday, September 23, as Washington intensifies sanctions targeting Iran's aviation sector.
Bessent said foreign companies providing services to sanctioned Iranian airlines could expose themselves to US sanctions, potentially restricting their access to the American financial system. He specifically referred to services including aircraft fuel, airport support and ticket sales.
The announcement follows a sweeping sanctions action announced by the US Treasury Department on September 8. The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control designated 27 Iranian airlines for operating in Iran's aviation sector as part of an action targeting 36 entities and other targets.
The sanctioned carriers include Iran Air Tour, Iran Aseman Airlines, Qeshm Air, Kish Airlines, Sepehran Airlines and Varesh Airlines, among others.
Washington alleges that Iran has used commercial aviation networks to transport weapons, personnel and other cargo connected to military activities. The Iranian government has faced successive rounds of US sanctions, and Tehran has disputed broader US accusations and sanctions policies against it.
The September 8 action also suspended three Iran-related aviation authorisations, including authorisations covering certain overflights and the use of US-origin or US-controlled commercial aircraft by non-US airlines for flights into Iran. The Treasury said aviation-safety requests would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The measures extend beyond Iranian airlines themselves. The Treasury warned that foreign companies or individuals assisting sanctioned carriers through aircraft transfers, cargo operations or general sales-agent services could face consequences under US sanctions.
Bessent's statement that Iranian airlines would be “shut down” worldwide describes the expected impact of secondary sanctions rather than a direct US legal order closing airports or airlines in every country. Implementation outside the United States will depend in part on whether foreign airports, service providers, financial institutions and other companies stop providing services because of sanctions exposure.
The measures could significantly disrupt the ability of Iranian carriers to operate international routes if overseas companies withdraw services such as refuelling, ground handling, ticketing and other aviation support.
