China says it opposes “illegal” US sanctions aimed at Iranian airlines after a US Treasury official warns the carriers could be shut down globally within days. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun tells a news conference that China “consistently opposes illegal unilateral sanctions” that lack a basis in international law or UN Security Council authorization.
The US warning follows remarks by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a televised interview in which he says entities providing fuel, ground services, or ticket sales to Iranian aircraft could be cut off from the US dollar system. Hong Kong Free Press and Middle East Eye report Bessent also states that “all the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world” around September 23. Middle East Eye adds that the dispute arises ahead of a scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
While all outlets frame the issue as a US sanctions threat and China’s rebuttal, they differ in emphasis: some focus on the dollar-system cutoff, others on China’s legal critique, and one highlights the timing relative to US-China leader talks.
