China has voiced strong opposition to potential new unilateral sanctions proposed by the United States targeting Iranian airlines. Beijing denounced the measures as “illegal,” stressing that sanctions imposed without a foundation in international law or explicit approval from the United Nations Security Council violate global trade norms.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated Beijing’s firm stance during a regular press briefing on Tuesday (September 22, 2026).
Responding to reporter inquiries during the briefing, spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated unequivocally: “China has always firmly opposed illegal unilateral sanctions that lack international legal basis and have not been authorized by the UN Security Council.”
Beijing’s reaction follows stern warnings issued a day earlier by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC on Monday (September 21, 2026), Treasury Secretary Bessent announced that under the Trump administration’s economic strategy and pressure campaign, “all Iranian airlines worldwide will be shut down within days.” He noted that the step is part of Washington’s broader efforts to exert maximum economic pressure on Tehran.
International analysts note that attempts to constrain the economy of a sovereign nation outside the UN framework run counter to established international trade rules.
The dispute emerges at a sensitive diplomatic juncture, coming just ahead of a scheduled bilateral summit on Thursday between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. Amid ongoing tensions over trade tariffs, advanced technology supply chains, and Middle Eastern geopolitical dynamics, Beijing’s sharp response on the Iranian aviation issue adds further friction to the upcoming leadership talks.
