Politics
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that the United States has contacted more than 50 countries as part of efforts to increase economic pressure on Iran. In a statement posted on the social media platform X,
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that the United States has contacted more than 50 countries as part of efforts to increase economic pressure on Iran. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Bessent said that, at his direction, teams from the U.S. Treasury Department had visited various countries and pressured them to limit their economic ties with Iran. According to the U.S. Treasury secretary, measures have also been taken against Iranian airlines and banks as part of the campaign. He said Turkey and Oman had halted flights operated by Iranian airline Mahan Air, while the United Arab Emirates had imposed a ban on flights by Iranian airlines.
Bessent also highlighted developments in the banking sector. According to reports, the Central Bank of the UAE took steps to halt transactions involving branches of Iran’s Bank Melli, while Turkey revoked the operating license of Bank Mellat’s Istanbul branch last week. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Treasury officials spoke with representatives from more than 50 countries over the past two weeks about further increasing economic pressure on Iran. The report said the United States is intensifying efforts to restrict Iran’s banking and air links. Bessent has previously said that Washington wants to restrict the activities of Iranian airlines around the world. However, according to reports, some Iranian airlines continue to operate international flights to several countries, including China and Russia.
