Archive · 23 Sep 2026
US Threatens Global Shutdown of Iranian Airlines on September 23
The United States says Iranian airlines may be unable to fly internationally from September 23.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned airports not to refuel their planes or provide landing services.
He also warned companies not to sell tickets for the airlines.
Businesses that continue helping could lose access to the US dollar banking system.
This is an attempt to pressure Iran by targeting companies outside Iran as well as Iranian airlines.
The United States has already sanctioned Iranian aviation companies and their supporters.
Years of sanctions have made it harder for Iran to obtain aircraft, spare parts, and maintenance.
Some countries and airlines have already restricted Iranian flights, while Iranian officials had not publicly responded to the latest warning.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Iranian airlines could be shut out of international operations worldwide from September 23.
Foreign airports, fuel suppliers, landing-service providers, ticketing companies, and other supporters could lose access to the US dollar system.
The warning follows US sanctions against remaining Iranian airlines and foreign companies accused of supporting Iran’s aviation sector.
Reports said Iraq planned to suspend Iranian airline flights, Georgia barred Iranian carriers, and Mahan Air suspended services to Turkey.
Bessent said Chinese officials and financial authorities were engaged in discussions about complying with US sanctions on Iran.
- Who
- The United States Treasury, Secretary Scott Bessent, Iranian airlines, and foreign businesses that support them.
- What
- The United States threatened to block Iranian airlines from international operations and penalize foreign entities that continue servicing them.
- When
- The threatened global shutdown was set for September 23, 2026; Bessent issued the warning on Monday before reports published on September 22.
- Where
- The measures would affect Iranian international flights and foreign airports, service providers, ticket sellers, and financial institutions.
- Why
- Washington says the measures are intended to restrict Iran’s access to international financial and commercial networks and increase pressure on Tehran.
US Treasury position
Iranian and affected-party position
Purpose of the measures
US Treasury position
Washington says the sanctions will restrict Iran’s access to international finance and commercial networks and increase pressure on Tehran.
Iranian and affected-party position
Iranian authorities had not publicly responded in the reports, so no official Iranian counterargument was provided.
Impact on international aviation
US Treasury position
The United States says foreign companies must stop providing fuel, landing services, tickets, and other assistance to Iranian airlines or risk losing dollar-system access.
Iranian and affected-party position
The reported effect is a broad disruption of Iranian international aviation, with airports and service providers facing pressure to cut ties with the carriers.
Enforcement beyond Iran
US Treasury position
Bessent warned that secondary sanctions could target foreign entities supporting Iranian airlines, including airports, banks, fuel suppliers, and ticketing companies.
Iranian and affected-party position
The articles do not report formal responses from foreign businesses, but they describe restrictions affecting operations in Iraq, Georgia, and Turkey.
- Threatened shutdown date
- September 23, 2026
- US official
- Scott Bessent, United States Treasury Secretary
- Services targeted
- Fuel, landing services, airport access, ticket sales, and other support for Iranian carriers
- Potential penalty
- Loss of access to the US dollar system or US financial networks
- Earlier aviation sanctions
- Reports described sanctions against 27 Iranian airlines or 36 aviation-sector targets, including foreign supporting entities
- Reported regional restrictions
- Iraq planned to suspend Iranian airline flights, Georgia barred Iranian carriers, and Mahan Air suspended services to Turkey
- China discussions
- Bessent said Chinese officials and financial authorities, including People's Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng, were engaged in compliance discussions
Sources
'Shut Down Around The World': US Warns Iranian Airlines Face Global Blackout From Wednesday
'All Iranian Airlines Will Be Shut Down Around the World': US Threatens Secondary Sanctions Against Foreign Airports, Fuel Suppliers
US warns Iranian airlines could be shut out of international travel
US sets Sept 23 shutdown for Iran airlines; Bessent warns non-compliant entities will be ‘knocked out of dollar system’
Iran's Flights Face Global Shutdown: Baghdad, Muscat Halt Arrivals Amid US Threat
Iranian airlines to shut worldwide on Sept 23, Bessent warns of US banking ban
'All Iranian Airlines Will Be Grounded Globally By...': US' New Weapon In War
All Iranian airlines to be shutdown globally from Sept 23: US
