United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sweeping new sanctions on Iran’s aviation industry on Monday, part of an earlier threat to impose “economic D-Day” on Tehran in a bid to force submission following nearly seven months of regional conflict.
“We are squeezing the Iranians like they’ve never seen,” Bessent told Fox News on Wednesday, adding “probably more than 80 or 90 percent” of external flights from Iran “got shut down.” The new measures immediately triggered flight cancellations across multiple routes.
Georgia and Azerbaijan have officially confirmed suspending flights, while a travel agent in Tehran told AFP that flights to Baghdad, Muscat and Qatar were also halted. Routes to China, however, remained operational – with a Mahan Air flight from Tehran landing in Guangzhou confirmed by FlightRadar24 tracking data.
China on Tuesday opposed the US sanctions, calling them illegal, and a flight to Shanghai was also due to depart on Wednesday from Tehran’s international airport. Some flights to Istanbul were scheduled, though others had been cancelled.
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, at the UN General Assembly, struck a defiant tone: “The resistance of the Iranian people will only intensify in the face of sanctions, mounting pressure and growing intimidation from the United States.”
Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned neighboring countries: “If a country cooperates with or embarks on adventures with the United States, its airports will no longer be able to operate flights to Iran.”
Key Developments
- US Treasury announces “economic D-Day” sanctions on Iran’s aviation sector
- Over 80-90% of external flights from Iran reportedly shut down
- Georgia and Azerbaijan suspend flights; Iraq, Qatar routes halted
- China opposes sanctions; flights to Shanghai still operating
- Iranian President Pezeshkian defiant at UN General Assembly
- Regional travel disruptions push civilians toward costly land routes
Implications
- Severe disruption to Iranian international travel and commerce
- Increased costs for civilians facing diverted land routes
- Heightened tensions between Iran and neighboring countries
- Potential for reciprocal action from Iran against cooperating nations
Featured image: NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft in flight. Photo Carla Thomas/NASA, public domain – illustrative.
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