The U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent stated today (27th): "Engaging in business with Iranian airlines subject to sanctions carries the risk of facing U.S. sanctions. Governments worldwide should take all necessary measures to ensure that enterprises within their jurisdiction do not provide any services for the involved flights, including aviation fuel, in-flight catering, landing fees, and aircraft maintenance services."
Bessent specifically emphasized, "The United States will not hesitate to impose sanctions on any third party that facilitates Iranian entities or conducts commercial activities with them."
This statement marks a further escalation of America's 'maximum pressure' policy against Iran in the economic domain. Its core objective is to sever Iran’s channels for generating economic revenue and accessing external resources through civilian aviation, extending financial sanctions beyond traditional energy trade into the more complex supply chain of aviation services.
The statement was released on April 27, shortly after Iran announced the resumption of some international flights to destinations such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The U.S. aims to issue preemptive warnings to deter any potential commercial support for Iran.
Iran’s aviation industry has long been under sanctions, resulting in an aging fleet heavily reliant on smuggled spare parts. The U.S. declaration blocks crucial international assistance in areas like maintenance and repair, directly targeting the lifeline of Iran’s aviation sector, aiming to render its aircraft fleet inoperable due to lack of upkeep.
Airlines such as Mahan Air—accused by the U.S. of being linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—bear the burden of international transport missions. By cutting off all external support, the U.S. seeks to strangle their logistical lifeline for smuggling weapons and securing outside backing. Already outdated Iranian passenger aircraft will face increasing difficulties in safe operations without proper maintenance. Online ticket bookings and insurance services are obstructed, leaving Iran’s civil aviation trapped in both physical and economic paralysis.
At its core, this warning constitutes a comprehensive global "license regime" aimed at isolating Iran from the global aviation system. It reflects the U.S. government’s hardline stance in diplomacy and military strategy: leveraging maximum pressure before negotiations to strengthen its leverage.
This new regulation demonstrates that the U.S. is attempting to exploit its dominant position in global finance and services, using extraterritorial jurisdiction to sever Iran’s external connections, seeking strategic objectives through economic strangulation without resorting to large-scale ground warfare.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863677516594176/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.