US Treasury chief Bessent claims successes in isolating Iran

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has asserted that his office has achieved notable progress in containing Iran through economic sanctions, according to a report. He disclosed that operatives were dispatched to various nations to urge action against the Iranian government. Bessent expressed satisfaction with the outcomes, citing Turkey and Oman as countries that have ceased accepting flights from Mahan Air, a private carrier based in Iran.

The United Arab Emirates has likewise banned flights operated by Iranian airlines, which previously served Dubai, a crucial destination for Iranian carriers. Moreover, Bessent highlighted recent banking restrictions, including the UAE central bank's blockade of Iran's Bank Melli's transactions, alleging violations of anti-money laundering, terrorism, and arms proliferation laws.

Turkey had previously suspended Iran's Bank Mellat's operations. A report by the Wall Street Journal revealed that Treasury's assistant secretary for terrorist financing, Jonathan Burke, had visited the Middle East and Europe over a fortnight to implement an "economic D-Day" strategy against Tehran. Bessent stated that all Iranian airlines worldwide would be suspended, but smaller Iranian airlines, particularly those operating to China, continue to defy the US pressure.