US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that all Iranian airlines could be shut out of international operations from Wednesday, September 23, warning companies globally against providing services such as fuel, landing, or ticket sales to Iranian carriers, or risk being "knocked out of the dollar system." This move escalates US President Donald Trump’s “Operation Economic Outcast” to pressure Iran’s economy. China, however, has called the US measures “illegal,” with Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stating that Beijing consistently opposes unilateral sanctions lacking international law basis or UN authorization. Analysts suggest the sanctions will further worsen the lives of millions of Iranians.