US Treasury Chief Hails Progress In Efforts To Isolate Iran

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Saturday that Washington had sent teams around the world to pressure countries to economically isolate Iran, while welcoming new restrictions targeting Iranian airlines and banks.

“At my direction, teams were dispatched across the globe to engage with countries and demand action against the Iranian regime,” Bessent said on X, adding that the efforts were “delivering results.”

Bessent said Türkiye and Oman had halted incoming flights by Mahan Air, while the United Arab Emirates had suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines.

Dubai, the UAE’s commercial hub, is a major destination for Iranian carriers, with several daily flights, a large Iranian community and extensive business ties with Iran.

Bessent also pointed to new restrictions on Iranian banks.

On Wednesday, the UAE central bank blocked transactions to and from Iranian Bank Melli branches, alleging violations of laws related to money laundering, terrorism and arms proliferation.

Türkiye last week revoked the licence of Bank Mellat, an Iranian semi-private financial institution that has faced Western sanctions for years.

A Wall Street Journal report shared by Bessent said Jonathan Burke, the Treasury’s assistant secretary for terrorist financing, had travelled across the Middle East and Europe over two weeks to advance the administration’s effort to impose what Bessent described as an “economic D-Day” on Tehran.

The Journal reported that the US Treasury had held discussions with more than 50 countries.

Bessent said Monday that all Iranian airlines “will be shut down around the world.” However, smaller Iranian carriers continue to operate international routes, particularly to China, which has resisted US pressure.