US Treasury chief Bessent claims successes in isolating Iran
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sept 26 that he had sent envoys around the world to press countries to economically isolate Iran, citing new restrictions on Iranian airlines and banks. Turkey and Oman halted incoming flights from Mahan Air and the United Arab Emirates stopped all flights by Iranian airlines, while Iran's ISNA news agency reported that Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraq, Oman and the UAE had revoked Iranian flight permits. ISNA said flights to China and Russia continued, and the UAE central bank blocked transactions to and from Iran by branches of Bank Melli.
Why it matters: The reported measures show the sanctions theme in practice, with US pressure routed through third-country aviation and banking restrictions rather than direct US action alone.