BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Washington is pressing China to comply with US sanctions on Iran, as Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares for a visit to the United States later this week.
Bessent said Chinese officials have been “very engaged” in discussions over the US economic pressure campaign against Iran. He made the remarks after talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng ahead of the planned Trump-Xi summit in Washington. Reuters reported that Xi is scheduled to visit the United States from September 23 to 25.
Bessent said foreign companies providing services to Iranian airlines could face secondary sanctions. He warned that airports and service providers could risk losing access to the US dollar system if they provide Iranian carriers with fuel, landing services or ticketing services.
The US Treasury has already imposed sweeping sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector. On September 8, the Treasury Department sanctioned 36 individuals and entities linked to Iran’s aviation industry and warned that entities facilitating sanctions evasion could face restrictions on access to the US financial system.
Bessent also said Washington was holding what he described as positive discussions with Chinese financial authorities, including People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng, regarding compliance with US sanctions against Iran.
The comments come as Washington seeks to increase economic pressure on Tehran through its “Operation Economic Outcast” campaign. The US Treasury has expanded sanctions against Iranian financial networks and entities accused of helping Tehran evade restrictions.
China has previously maintained economic ties with Iran and has been identified by US officials as an important focus of sanctions enforcement. Recent reporting has also highlighted mechanisms used to maintain Iranian oil sales and trade with Chinese entities despite US sanctions.
