China Opposes US Move to Ground Iranian Airlines Worldwide From September 23

China has opposed the United States’ latest sanctions targeting Iranian airlines, after Washington warned that foreign companies providing services to Iranian carriers could face secondary sanctions from September 23.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that Iranian airlines would effectively be “shut down around the world” under the new measures. He warned that foreign airports, fuel suppliers, ground-handling companies and ticketing agencies could be excluded from the US dollar-based financial system if they continued providing services to sanctioned Iranian carriers.

“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.

The latest threat follows measures announced on September 8 under the US campaign known as Operation Economic Outcast, when the Treasury Department targeted dozens of entities and individuals linked to Iran’s aviation sector, including 27 Iranian airlines.

China, which maintains close economic and diplomatic ties with Iran, criticised the US measures as unilateral actions that lack a basis in international law or authorisation from the United Nations.

The development comes as Washington seeks to expand the impact of its sanctions beyond Iranian companies by discouraging third-country businesses from providing essential aviation services to Iranian carriers. Bessent also said Chinese financial authorities had been actively engaged in discussions concerning compliance with US sanctions on Iran.

Iran’s aviation sector has faced extensive restrictions for years, limiting the country’s access to commercial aircraft, spare parts and maintenance services. The proposed expansion of secondary sanctions could further restrict Iranian airlines’ ability to operate international passenger and cargo flights and increase pressure on foreign companies that continue to support them.