Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Sep 27: Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has denied reports that the country would resort to military retaliation in response to recent aviation restrictions imposed on Iranian carriers, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
The SNSC issued the clarification following what it described as “misleading” interpretations and quotations attributed to its Secretary Mohsen Rezaei over the aviation issue, which had raised questions about Iran's possible response.
The council rejected claims that Iran would take military action in retaliation for the restrictions and said negotiations with the countries concerned were being pursued seriously to remove what it called “illegal” aviation restrictions, Xinhua news agency reported.
At the same time, the SNSC said several non-military measures could be adopted against countries complying with the restrictions, including possible action involving certain airports if necessary. It expressed hope that the situation would not escalate to that stage.
Earlier this week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said all Iranian airlines would be shut down internationally from Wednesday and warned that companies providing aviation services to them could face secondary sanctions.
Bessent told CNBC that airports dealing with Iranian carriers would face restrictions on providing services such as fuel, landing facilities and ticket sales, warning that companies violating the measures could lose access to the US dollar system.
Following the US sanctions on Iranian airlines taking effect, Rezaei told state-run IRIB TV that countries, particularly Iran's neighbours, should not participate in what he termed US “adventurism”, which he said would eventually fail.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected an Iranian proposal for a seven-day ceasefire, with The Wall Street Journal reporting that a renewed US bombing campaign against Tehran could take place after the November midterm elections.
The report, citing US officials familiar with the matter, said Trump remained sceptical that Tehran would comply with his demands and considered renewed military action likely.
Trump has repeatedly said Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon.
He also posted an image on his Truth Social platform showing a map of the Strait of Hormuz, with the waterway circled and labelled “Trump Strait.”