US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has claimed that Washington's economic pressure campaign against Iran is producing results as the West Asian country continues to deal with the impact of war. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Bessent said he had sent US officials to several countries to push them to reduce their economic ties with Iran.
He also welcomed new restrictions targeting Iranian airlines and banks. Bessent thanked countries that have supported the US campaign. “At my direction, teams were dispatched across the globe to engage with countries and demand action against the Iranian regime,” he said on X. “These efforts are delivering results.”
Bessent made the comments while sharing a Wall Street Journal report on Washington's efforts to pressure countries over their economic dealings with Iran.
He pointed to steps taken by several countries against Iranian airlines. Turkey and Oman have stopped incoming flights operated by Mahan Air, a private Iranian carrier. The United Arab Emirates has also suspended flights operated by Iranian airlines.
Following the launch of Operation Economic Outcast, @USTreasury imposed targeted financial measures against banks and aviation service providers. At my direction, teams were dispatched across the globe to engage with countries and demand action against the Iranian regime.
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) September 26, 2026
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UAE and Turkey Target Iranian Banks
Dubai remains an important destination for Iranian airlines. The UAE's commercial hub has handled several Iranian flights each day. The city also has a large Iranian community with strong business connections to Iran. Bessent also highlighted new restrictions on Iranian banks.
On Wednesday, the UAE central bank blocked transactions involving branches of Iran's Bank Melli. The move covered transactions going to and coming from Iran. The UAE accused the bank of violating rules related to money laundering, terrorism and weapons proliferation.
Turkey also took action against an Iranian bank last week. Turkish authorities revoked the operating license of Bank Mellat. The semi-private Iranian bank has faced Western sanctions for several years.
US Pressures More Than 50 Countries
The Wall Street Journal report cited efforts by US Treasury officials to convince countries to join the economic pressure campaign. Jonathan Burke, the Treasury's assistant secretary for terrorist financing, reportedly travelled across West Asia and Europe for two weeks.
He worked to persuade governments to take steps against Iran as part of what Bessent described as an “economic D-Day” for Tehran. The US Treasury has held discussions with more than 50 countries as part of Operation Economic Outcast, according to the report.
Bessent said earlier this week that the US wanted to shut down Iranian airlines operating around the world. On Monday, he said that all Iranian airlines “will be shut down around the world.”
However, smaller Iranian carriers continue to operate international routes. Some of these airlines continue to fly to China. Beijing has so far refused to follow Washington's pressure on Iranian air carriers.
The continued flights show that the US campaign faces resistance from some countries despite Washington's efforts to increase economic pressure on Tehran.