Iran signs order for 80 Boeing jets
Iran has signed a $16.6 billion deal for 80 Boeing passenger jets and claims to be close to another for dozens of Airbus planes.
It’s Tehran’s biggest package of firm contracts with Western companies since Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution.
The Airbus deal, which is expected to involve a first batch of 50-60 jets, should be completed in the next couple of days.
The Boeing contract comes after last year’s pact between Iran and world powers to reopen trade in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear activities.
However political opposition could yet threaten the deal in both countries.
In the US, Congressional Republicans are trying to counter last year’s nuclear accord by passing a bill last month to restrict financial transactions by US banks in an effort to block the sale of Western passenger jets to Iran.
In Iran the deal is viewed as a crucial political test for the government of pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani, who has been criticised by hardliners opposed to opening up to the West.