US pushes China on Iran sanctions ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit
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- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says all Iranian airlines will be shut down on Wednesday under threatened secondary sanctions.
- Washington says it is holding talks with Chinese financial officials over compliance with US sanctions targeting Iran.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said all Iranian airlines will be shut down on Wednesday as Washington prepares to impose secondary sanctions on companies providing services to Iranian air carriers.
Speaking to CNBC, Bessent said service providers would face penalties for supporting Iranian airlines, including by supplying fuel, providing landing services or selling tickets.
“When Iranian airlines land at an airport, you cannot provide them with fuel, you cannot provide them with landing services, you cannot sell them tickets, or you will be knocked out of the dollar system,” Bessent said.
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Bessent said Chinese officials have been “very engaged” in Washington’s economic pressure campaign against Iran ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to the United States next week.
He said Washington has held what he described as positive discussions with Chinese financial authorities, including People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng, over compliance with US sanctions on Iran.
The comments come after the United States launched what it calls “Operation Economic Outcast,” aimed at isolating Iran from the global financial system.
China has said it will continue cooperation with Iran, which it considers a strategic partner, despite the US sanctions campaign.
