Aviation Organization: Boeing and Airbus Await US Treasury Approval

The head of the Civil Aviation Organization, in an interview with Iran newspaper, provided details about the agreements between Iran and Boeing for the purchase of aircraft, stating that a 'preliminary written agreement' has been made. According to him, both Boeing and Airbus are 'waiting for approval from the US Treasury Department.' Ali Abedzadeh, in an interview published on June 20, mentioned that the number of Boeing aircraft for purchase is 100, which is expected to be provided to Tehran 'through financing.' Iran had previously signed a similar agreement with Airbus, which according to the CEO of Iran's national airline 'Homa,' one of the responsibilities of the manufacturer is 'to secure financing for the aircraft.' Mr. Abedzadeh stated that both the contract with Boeing and with Airbus are awaiting US Treasury approval to finalize them. Previously, the Iranian Ministry of Roads and Urban Development announced that preliminary agreements with Boeing had been reached, with details to be announced in the future. The head of the Civil Aviation Organization stated that the '17 billion dollar' figure mentioned by 'some Western sources' regarding the purchase of Boeing aircraft is 'not definitive'; he did not mention another amount for this contract, saying it would be 'clarified after further negotiations.' Mr. Abedzadeh stated that 'Boeing has submitted its official request for final sales approval to the [US] Treasury Department, and after obtaining this approval, the final contract text will be concluded between the two parties.' The US Treasury Department is one of the most important decision-making centers for granting licenses to companies regarding trade with Iran, ensuring that current sanctions against Tehran for 'human rights violations,' allegations of 'state-sponsored terrorism,' and 'ballistic missile development' are not violated. Iran denies these allegations. The head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization mentioned that negotiations with Boeing have been ongoing for a long time, and this American aircraft manufacturing company has also been serious in these negotiations. Mr. Abedzadeh referred to the 'only remaining issue' being the US Treasury's license and emphasized that Tehran is 'not rushing' in concluding the contract with Boeing. Some Republican representatives in the US Congress had previously criticized the preliminary agreements between Iran and Boeing for purchasing passenger aircraft, stating that Congress would not have a 'favorable approach' to this agreement. An Israeli legal group aligned with the policies of Benjamin Netanyahu's government has also announced that it is trying to prevent the implementation of the agreements between the two parties by filing a lawsuit in court. The US President, following the implementation of the nuclear agreement, issued an order last December granting permission for the sale of passenger aircraft to Iran. The US Treasury Department also granted a 'general license' for the sale of passenger aircraft to Iran to American companies on March 25. John Kirby, spokesperson for the US State Department, said last week that based on the agreement with Tehran, 'on a case-by-case basis,' any transaction, the issuance of licenses for the sale or transfer of 'purely commercial' aircraft to Iran is permitted.