China rejects U.S. pressure on Iranian Airlines as sanctions threat escalates

China has pushed back against the latest U.S. pressure campaign targeting Iran’s aviation sector, calling threatened sanctions against Iranian airlines “illegal” and opposing unilateral measures that Beijing says lack a basis in international law.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the comments on Tuesday, September 22, after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Washington’s expanding sanctions could make it extremely difficult for Iranian airlines to operate internationally.

Bessent said the United States would seek to prevent Iranian carriers from receiving essential services overseas, including fuel, landing facilities and ticketing.

He warned that companies continuing to provide such services could face consequences involving access to the U.S. dollar financial system.

Beijing, however, rejected that approach. Guo said China consistently opposes what it describes as unilateral sanctions that are not grounded in international law or authorized by the United Nations Security Council.

The dispute comes at a sensitive moment in U.S.-China relations.

Bessent’s remarks followed economic discussions with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York, while preparations are continuing for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Iran’s aviation industry has already faced years of restrictions that have limited its access to aircraft, spare parts and maintenance services.

The latest measures could put additional pressure on carriers such as Iran Air and Mahan Air and make international operations more difficult if foreign airports and aviation companies comply with Washington’s threatened penalties.

The confrontation highlights the broader diplomatic divide over how Iran should be pressured.

Washington is seeking to intensify economic restrictions on Tehran, while Beijing says its economic and diplomatic cooperation with Iran should continue within what it considers the framework of international law.