In an interview with CNBC, Bassent stated that all Iranian airlines will completely cease operations worldwide on September 23rd.
The Finance Minister explained that Washington aims to prevent Iranian carriers from accessing vital services for aviation activities, threatening exclusion from the US financial system. He specified that upon landing, they will be unable to obtain fuel, landing services, or sell tickets, or they will be outside the dollar system.
A few hours after this decision, Washington, according to Iraqi government sources reported to the France-Presse (AFP), announced that Baghdad would suspend flights by Iranian airlines. An Iraqi official stated that the ban would be implemented in accordance with the US Treasury Department's decision starting Wednesday, adding that countries failing to comply with this decision would face sanctions.
At the beginning of September, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 36 organizations, including 27 Iranian airlines. These companies are accused of assisting in the transportation of weapons, personnel, and cargo for the authorities in Tehran. According to Washington, these measures are aimed at disrupting the financial networks and logistical chains of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Bassent did not specify which airlines or routes would be directly affected starting Wednesday, nor did he provide details on the application of restrictions outside of US jurisdiction.