Iran's Minister of Roads: U.S. Treasury is the Only Obstacle to Our Boeing Purchases

Abbas Akhoundi, Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development, stated that the success of negotiations for purchasing Boeing passenger aircraft is contingent upon "lifting the restrictions imposed by the U.S. Treasury." According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Mr. Akhoundi expressed hope on Sunday, September 28, that "these restrictions will soon be lifted so that we can proceed with the aircraft purchase." In recent months, Iran has reached agreements to buy dozens of passenger planes from European company Airbus and American company Boeing, but the U.S. Treasury continues to withhold the necessary licenses for these agreements to be implemented. Furthermore, despite the lifting or suspension of international sanctions related to Iran's nuclear issue, major European banks are still avoiding cooperation with Iran due to other U.S. sanctions. On the other hand, many U.S. congressional representatives oppose the sale of passenger planes to Iran. These representatives, most of whom are Republicans, argue that Iran uses passenger planes for military purposes, including transporting forces and equipment to Syria. Meanwhile, the Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development has rejected this criticism, stating to Reuters that Iran is seeking to implement its agreements. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, had previously said that purchasing planes from Boeing could resolve issues related to buying aircraft from Airbus. The U.S. had imposed sanctions on the sale of Western parts and aircraft to Iran following the occupation of the U.S. embassy in Tehran and the severing of bilateral diplomatic relations.