Bessent warned on CNBC that every Iranian airline would be grounded worldwide within 48 hours, citing new U.S. sanctions that cut fuel, landing, and ticketing services.
These measures follow earlier Treasury actions that targeted the few remaining Iranian carriers and ancillary firms, tightening the country's aviation supply chain.
The crackdown is part of a broader U.S. strategy after the February strikes that killed Iran's supreme leader and military commanders, which prompted Tehran to block the Strait of Hormuz and inflate oil prices.
Just a day before the announcement, Bessent met Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to discuss economic ties, setting the stage for a Trump‑Xi summit that could influence Iran's diplomatic standing.
For pilots like Amir, the new sanctions mean sudden layoffs and uncertainty, as flight crews scramble to find work in an industry already crippled by sanctions.
The Treasury will activate the sanctions at 00:01 UTC on September 27, after which Iranian airlines will be cut off from the global dollar‑based aviation network.