Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that more than 80 percent, and possibly as high as 90 percent, of Iran’s external international flights have been shut down under intense U.S. economic pressure. He stated that the campaign is squeezing the Iranians like they have never seen, with secondary sanctions targeting aviation services, financiers, and other enablers to cut off key revenue sources. Bessent also questioned how Iranian representatives currently at the United Nations will manage to return home given the scale of the flight disruptions. The remarks highlight the rapid impact of the measures on Iran’s ability to maintain international air connections.

The shutdown forms part of Operation Economic Outcast, launched by the Trump administration in August 2026, which expands sanctions across Iran’s oil, aviation, and broader international networks. By severely restricting external flights, the effort aims to increase isolation and limit the regime’s operational reach. The development has raised questions about the full extent of the aviation collapse, the practical challenges facing Iranian officials abroad, and how long the current level of pressure can be sustained.