LONDON (Realist English). The situation around the Strait of Hormuz continues to escalate: Iran is blocking the passage of Iraqi tankers, the US is threatening a complete halt to Iranian civil aviation, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is demanding the withdrawal of American and Israeli forces from the region.
Bessent: All Iranian Airlines to Cease Operations on 23 September
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a CNBC interview that from 23 September, all Iranian airlines will be halted worldwide. According to him, foreign operators that continue to service Iranian aircraft — refuelling them, providing landing services, or selling tickets — will face exclusion from the dollar system.
Bessent also noted that Washington is conducting “quiet behind-the-scenes discussions” with a number of countries, including China, whose financial authorities “remain involved in the process.”
Iran Air: Flights to Najaf Will Continue
A few hours after Bessent’s statement, Iran Air announced that flights from Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan to the Iraqi city of Najaf will operate as scheduled. Najaf is an important destination for Iranian pilgrims visiting Iraq’s Shia holy sites, and the route remains significant for religious tourism between the two countries.
Iraqi Prime Minister: Iran Blocks Tankers, Losses at $60 Billion
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi told The New York Times that Iran is not allowing Iraqi tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, despite Baghdad being considered a regional partner of Tehran. According to him, Iraq has lost about $60 billion in oil revenues since the war began.
“We spoke with them for a long time, but Tehran’s decision is final and irrevocable. Their goal is to raise world oil prices, and the question is not the closeness or distance of relations; their task is to create levers of pressure at any cost,” the publication quoted al-Zaidi as saying.
IRGC: “America and Israel Must Accept Withdrawal”
The IRGC issued a statement marking Sacred Defence Week, published by the Fars agency. It states that the US and Israel “must accept the region’s freedom from their vile and criminal presence.” According to the IRGC, Iranian defence “has destroyed the fragile dominance of the US, Israel, and their supporters and reorganised the region’s security architecture.”
Waltz: The Door for Negotiations Is Open
US Permanent Representative to the UN Mike Waltz stated that President Donald Trump “is determined to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon” and that Washington will continue its policy of “maximum pressure.” At the same time, according to Waltz, “the door remains open for Iran to return to the negotiating table” — provided Tehran acts in good faith.
