US Treasury chief Bessent claims successes in isolating Iran

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that Turkey and Oman have halted incoming flights from private carrier Mahan Air, while the United Arab Emirates has stopped all flights by Iranian airlines.

WASHINGTON – US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sept 26 that he had sent envoys around the world to pressure countries to economically isolate Iran, hailing new restrictions targeting the country’s airlines and banks.

“At my direction, teams were dispatched across the globe to engage with countries and demand action against the Iranian regime,” he said on social media platform X. “These efforts are delivering results.”

Bessent noted that Turkey and Oman have halted incoming flights from private carrier Mahan Air, while the United Arab Emirates has stopped all flights by Iranian airlines.

Dubai, the UAE’s commercial hub, is a major destination for Iran’s carriers, with multiple daily flights, a large Iranian community and close business links.

Bessent also highlighted new banking restrictions.

On Sept 23, the UAE central bank blocked transactions to and from Iran by branches of Iran’s Bank Melli, accusing it of violating laws on money laundering, terrorism and arms proliferation.

Last week, Turkey revoked the licence of Iran’s Bank Mellat, a semi-private financial entity that has been subject to Western sanctions for years.

A Wall Street Journal article shared by Bessent said Jonathan Burke, the Treasury’s assistant secretary for terrorist financing, travelled across the Middle East and Europe over two weeks to push the plan to impose what Bessent called “economic D-Day” on Tehran.

US Treasury has held discussions with more than 50 countries, the Journal reported.

Bessent said on Sept 21 that all Iranian airlines “will be shut down around the world”.

However, smaller Iranian carriers continue to operate international routes, particularly to China, which is refusing to yield to US pressure. AFP