Bloomberg
• Danny Lee, Kateryna Kadabashy, Satid Sutipanya
Iranian airlines continued operating international flights to China and Thailand, defying a U.S. deadline intended to ground the country’s fleet. Washington’s sanctions target companies that provide services to Iranian carriers, but flights remained active Wednesday.
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Iranian airlines continued operating international flights to China and Thailand, defying a U.S. deadline intended to ground the country’s fleet. Washington’s sanctions target companies that provide services to Iranian carriers, but flights remained active Wednesday.
High activity
Iraq ordered its civil aviation authority to suspend Iranian carrier flights to Baghdad airport starting Wednesday, according to two sources cited by Reuters. The move follows a U.S. warning that airports servicing Iranian airlines could face sanctions, adding pressure to regional air links and airport operations.
The Trump administration says its approval of a $24.3 billion F-35 deal will strengthen Saudi Arabia’s self-defense capability as the kingdom faces the continuing Houthi threat. The agreement advances a major U.S. arms transfer with implications for regional security and defense technology controls.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said U.S. sanctions would make it difficult for Iranian airlines to operate globally within two days, warning that Washington is pressuring Tehran “like never before.” The threat signals a potentially broad escalation in restrictions affecting Iran’s commercial aviation sector.
The State Department has detailed a $24.3 billion package covering up to 48 F-35A stealth fighters, alongside logistics and training services. If completed, the deal would make Saudi Arabia the first Arab country to operate the F-35, extending the aircraft’s sensitive export footprint into the Gulf.
Sensitive components from Australia’s F-35A fleet, including parts potentially associated with the aircraft’s cockpit canopy, were reportedly diverted to Hong Kong while en route to the United States for repair; some components subsequently disappeared. Australia defended its classified-technology safeguards and export controls as a U.S. House committee investigates.
The Trump administration has notified Congress of a possible $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia. The proposed transfer faces scrutiny over potential Chinese access to sensitive technology and its implications for Israel’s qualitative military edge.
US intelligence officials, including the Defense Intelligence Agency, have reportedly warned that Saudi Arabia’s proposed purchase of F-35 fighters could enable China to obtain sensitive U.S. stealth technology through espionage or cooperation. The concerns have prompted scrutiny of the planned transfer within the intelligence community.
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