US Treasury Secretary Alleges China’s Involvement in Iran Sanctions Enforcement

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday asserted that all Iranian airlines would cease operations from September 23rd, citing secondary sanctions against aviation service providers to Iran as the reason. Bessent further alleged that Chinese officials are “significantly involved” in the U.S. economic pressure campaign against Iran.

Speaking to CNBC, Bessent reiterated previous anti-Iran claims, stating that any airport providing fuel, landing services, or ticketing for Iranian aircraft would face the risk of losing access to the dollar-based financial system. He claimed that the United States is engaged in constructive discussions with Chinese financial officials, including Pan Gongsheng, the head of China’s central bank, regarding compliance with U.S. sanctions against Iran.

This comes despite China’s firm rejection of unilateral U.S. sanctions and its long-standing defense of its right to conduct normal trade with partners such as Iran and Russia. CNN reported that following a press conference by the U.S. Treasury Secretary last Tuesday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs pledged to take “all necessary measures” to safeguard its “legitimate rights and interests” against U.S. sanction threats.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the ministry, subsequently stated that economic warfare and maximum pressure tactics would not resolve issues but would only intensify tensions and conflicts, creating risks of crisis contagion and disrupting the global economic and financial order.