The Wall Street Journal has reported on discussions held by US Treasury officials with counterparts in over 50 countries regarding the imposition of sanctions on Iran, specifically targeting the aviation sector.
The newspaper reported that a US Treasury official, during a series of confidential trips, urged various nations to halt flights to Iran and sanction Iranian banks.
These visits took place this month (September) and covered various countries across West Asia and Europe. During these trips, US officials presented nations with an ultimatum: they must choose between maintaining trade relations with Iran or with Washington.
Despite these US efforts, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized in his speech at the UN General Assembly last week that Iran would stand firm against such pressure. Pezeshkian stated, "The Iranian people's resistance to sanctions will intensify. We will never bow our heads nor kneel."
In recent days, following US sanctions on Iranian airlines, several countries—including the UAE, Georgia, and the Republic of Azerbaijan—have suspended flights to Iran and barred Iranian aircraft from their airspace. However, other nations have not complied with the US sanctions and have maintained air links with Iran; China is among these countries.
The United States is attempting to pressure Iran into accepting its "unjust" demands by imposing severe sanctions on the country's banks and airlines. These pressures persist even as Iran has recently presented a proposal to the U.S., once again keeping the door open for dialogue with Washington; however, media reports indicate that Trump has rejected the plan.
According to *The Wall Street Journal*, the U.S. is seeking to shut down the London branch of Bank Melli Iran through consultations with the UK Treasury. Furthermore, pressure on other nations to sever banking ties with Iran has intensified.
The United States has once again resorted to its customary tool of sanctions, even though analysts believe that Iran—having endured years of such measures—has effectively learned how to navigate these circumstances and is capable of adapting to the new situation.
