WASHINGTON: United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has issued a strong warning that any businesses engaging with Iranian airlines could face sanctions, as part of Washington’s broader strategy to intensify economic pressure on Tehran amid the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
In remarks shared on Monday, Bessent emphasised that foreign companies and financial institutions dealing with Iranian aviation entities risk exposure to punitive measures under US sanctions laws.
He described the policy as part of a wider effort to restrict Iran’s access to international financial and logistical systems.
“Doing business with sanctioned Iranian airlines risks exposure to US sanctions,” Bessent said in a post on social media platform X.
US treasury chief says businesses working with Iranian airlines risk sanctions https://t.co/sO4uqJqkqf https://t.co/sO4uqJqkqf
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He further urged foreign governments to ensure that companies operating within their jurisdictions avoid providing services to Iranian aircraft, including jet fuel, catering, landing assistance, and maintenance support.
Treasury chief said the department “will not hesitate to act against any third parties that facilitate or conduct business with Iranian entities,” reinforcing Washington’s readiness to extend enforcement beyond direct Iranian actors to include international intermediaries.
According to Reuters, a Trump administration official separately indicated that the Treasury Department is preparing to impose secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions that continue to facilitate Iranian activities, signalling an escalation in financial restrictions targeting Tehran’s global commercial links.
The warning comes shortly after Iranian state media reported that commercial flights had resumed from Tehran’s international airport for the first time since the outbreak of hostilities.
Flights were reportedly scheduled to operate to destinations including Istanbul, Muscat in Oman, Madinah in Saudi Arabia, as well as cities in Iraq and Qatar.
The US Treasury has previously characterised its approach as a “financial stranglehold” aimed at limiting the Iranian government’s economic capacity during the conflict.
The geopolitical backdrop remains tense, with a ceasefire reportedly taking effect nearly three weeks ago following months of escalations.
The conflict intensified after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israeli territory and Gulf locations hosting US forces.
The exchanges, along with related strikes in Lebanon, have resulted in significant casualties and displacement, according to official and regional reports.
