US Threatens New Measures Against Iranian Airlines

Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, announced Thursday that Washington intends to block Iranian airlines from accessing airport landing facilities as part of an escalating pressure campaign aimed at pushing Iran to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Bessent said the United States would “prevent the two Iranian airlines from accessing airport landing facilities,” adding that Washington would also seek to restrict aircraft refueling services and airline ticket sales connected to the carriers. He did not specify which airlines would be targeted nor detail the timeline for implementation.

The announcement marks a further escalation in economic and transportation-related pressure measures imposed by the United States amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime energy corridors.

Bessent stressed that “only a satisfactory outcome in negotiations can end this cycle,” signaling that the proposed restrictions are intended to increase leverage on Tehran during a period of intensified diplomatic and geopolitical strain.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a central artery for global oil and gas shipments, and any prolonged disruption has significant implications for international energy markets, shipping costs, inflation, and global supply chains. Recent instability in the region has already prompted growing concerns among airlines, energy traders, and international businesses over operational and security risks.

The latest U.S. threat against Iranian aviation operations reflects Washington’s broader strategy of combining financial sanctions, logistical restrictions, and diplomatic pressure in an attempt to influence Tehran’s regional conduct and secure maritime stability in the Gulf.