Iranian airlines could face severe difficulties operating internationally within two days due to US sanctions, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Monday as the Trump administration seeks to maintain financial pressure on Tehran.

“All the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world” on Wednesday, Sept. 23, Bessent told CNBC in an interview, The Caspian Post reports.

“If they land, you cannot provide them with fuel, you cannot provide them with landing services, you cannot sell them tickets, or you will be knocked out of the dollar system,” he said.

The war in Iran began after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes in late February.

Tehran responded by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global energy shipments, driving oil prices higher as the conflict spread across the Middle East.

Earlier this month, the United States sanctioned “all remaining Iranian airlines” that had not previously been subjected to such measures.

The US Treasury Department also targeted entities supporting Iran’s aviation industry, including companies based outside Iran.

Bessent had previously pledged that the United States would declare an “economic D-Day” against Iran and vowed to cut off Tehran’s financial resources.

His latest comments came a day after he met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng for economic discussions ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.

China is among Iran’s leading economic partners and diplomatic supporters.

Iran’s aviation sector has faced sanctions for years, limiting the country’s ability to obtain aircraft, spare parts and maintenance services.