China Rejects US Threats Against Iran’s Aviation Sector

China has rejected recent US threats targeting Iran’s aviation sector, describing unilateral sanctions without a United Nations Security Council mandate as contrary to international law. The remarks came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iranian airlines could be shut down globally and warned foreign companies and aviation hubs against providing services such as fuel, landing facilities and ticket sales to Iranian carriers. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing consistently opposes unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law or authorization from the UN Security Council.

The dispute comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping and shortly after Bessent held economic talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. China, which maintains significant economic and diplomatic ties with Iran, has previously opposed unilateral sanctions imposed by individual countries. The latest disagreement highlights broader differences between Washington and Beijing over the use of economic restrictions as a foreign-policy tool.

The US measures are part of Washington’s broader sanctions campaign against Iran, which the Trump administration has described as an effort to increase economic pressure on Tehran. However, China and Russia, along with some regional states, have continued their economic and diplomatic engagement with Iran. The developments underscore the challenges Washington faces in securing international cooperation for sanctions that are not backed by a UN Security Council resolution.