US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced that Iranian airlines will face a total international shutdown beginning September 23. Under the latest wave of American sanctions, any entity providing services to these carriers—such as refueling, landing access, or ticket sales—will be stripped of access to the U.S. dollar system. This move is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to exert maximum financial pressure on Tehran as the ongoing regional conflict, which escalated following the death of Iran’s supreme leader in February, continues to threaten global energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Treasury Department’s directive effectively targets all remaining Iranian carriers and associated global support firms, aiming to isolate the country’s aviation infrastructure completely. Bessent, who has characterized this campaign as an "economic D-Day," recently discussed these measures while coordinating with Chinese officials ahead of an upcoming summit between President Trump and Xi Jinping. With Iran’s aviation sector already struggling from years of restricted access to spare parts and maintenance, these aggressive new sanctions represent a significant escalation in the administration's efforts to financially cripple the regime.