All Iranian Airlines to Be Shut Down from Wednesday, Bessent Tells CNBC

The US Treasury Department announced on Tuesday that all Iranian airlines will be shut down starting September 23, in a move aimed at economically isolating Tehran. This decision is part of a broader effort to strangle the Iranian economy and limit its ability to fund proxy forces across the region.

This approach to economic warfare has been a hallmark of the Trump administration’s foreign policy. By targeting key sectors such as energy, transportation, and finance, the US seeks to cripple Iran’s ability to fund its military and proxy forces in countries like Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.

The shutdown of Iranian airlines will undoubtedly have significant economic implications for the country. With air travel a vital component of international trade, the closure of these airlines is likely to disrupt supply chains and exacerbate Iran’s economic woes. The move also raises questions about the effectiveness of this strategy as a means of achieving US foreign policy objectives.

The regional landscape is increasingly complex, with multiple powers vying for influence and control. The UK has recently provided air-to-air refueling support to Saudi Arabia in its conflict against Houthi rebels, while the European Union appears willing to assume a more proactive role in regional security matters. This shift in alliances and power dynamics highlights the challenges facing Washington as it seeks to implement its policy of economic isolation towards Iran.

The use of sanctions as a tool for regime change has been a staple of US foreign policy since the 1990s, but it has largely failed to achieve its intended goals. In some cases, such as with Iraq under Saddam Hussein, sanctions have even had unintended consequences, exacerbating humanitarian crises and further entrenching authoritarian regimes.

The shutdown of Iranian airlines is just one facet of a larger campaign aimed at economically straining Tehran’s resources. As the Middle East continues to convulse in proxy wars, the US and its allies must carefully consider the long-term implications of their actions. Economic warfare can have unpredictable consequences, ultimately forcing policymakers to confront the limits of this strategy as a means of achieving their objectives.

The US Treasury Department has made it clear that its goal is to strangle the Iranian economy and limit its ability to fund proxy forces across the region. However, the effectiveness of this approach remains uncertain, particularly in light of Iran’s increasing reliance on China for economic support. As tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate, one thing is certain: the regional landscape will become increasingly complex, with far-reaching implications for global energy markets and international relations.