Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated that Iran would retaliate and ensure that the airports of neighboring countries "cannot operate" if they cooperate with new US sanctions aimed at preventing Iranian airlines from international operations. This follows Georgia and Azerbaijan suspending Iranian flights on Wednesday, the UAE canceling all flights to and from Iran on Thursday, and flights to Baghdad and Muscat also being halted. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had previously warned that airports and companies providing services to Iranian aircraft would face the risk of being cut off from the US financial system.