Bessent Says China Is ‘Very Committed’ to Sanctions Against Iran

23 September 2026

Sept 21 (Reuters) – United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that all Iranian airlines would have their operations suspended on September 23 with a threat of secondary sanctions against air service providers, and that Chinese authorities have shown themselves to be “very engaged” in the U.S. campaign of economic pressure against Iran.

Bessent told CNBC, after concluding negotiations on Sunday night with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, that when Iranian airlines land at an airport, “fuel cannot be provided to them, landing services cannot be provided, tickets cannot be sold to them; otherwise, they will be excluded from the dollar system.”

He said that the United States was maintaining positive discussions with Chinese financial authorities, including the head of the People’s Bank of China, Pan Gongsheng, regarding compliance with U.S. sanctions against Iran.

James Whitmore

James Whitmore

I am a financial journalist specialising in global markets and long-term investment strategies, with a background in economics and corporate finance. My work focuses on translating complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for private investors and professionals. At Wealth Adviser, I contribute in-depth analysis on equities, macroeconomic trends, and portfolio construction.