China hits back at US threat of sanctions on Iranian airlines
China has condemned the “illegal” US sanctions against Iranian airlines, a day after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Washington could impose measures aimed at shutting down Iran’s airlines worldwide.
Under the weight of US sanctions, “all the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world” within days, Bessent told CNBC on Monday, as the Trump administration seeks to increase economic pressure on Tehran.
“China consistently opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law or authorisation from the UN Security Council,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a news conference.
The dispute comes shortly before US President Donald Trump is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in the United States.
“On September 23rd, all the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world.”
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) September 22, 2026
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that Iranian airlines will struggle to operate globally on Wednesday under the weight of American sanctions pic.twitter.com/SHiDp5QOF1