U.S. Treasury Issues License for Sale of 106 Airbus Aircraft to Iran

On Tuesday, December 2, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a license for the sale of 106 Airbus aircraft to Iran Air. Earlier this year, Airbus had also received permission to sell 17 aircraft to Iran from the Treasury Department. This license was issued just days after a resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives, which mandated that the Obama administration prohibit the sale of passenger aircraft to Iran. Republicans argue that these passenger planes are intended for a country that is the world's number one supporter of terrorism and violates UN resolutions by conducting ballistic missile tests. According to Reuters, although Airbus is a French company, the sale of these aircraft to Iran requires Washington's approval because at least 10% of the aircraft's components are made in the U.S. The license for the sale of these aircraft was issued following the nuclear agreement with Iran, an agreement that Donald Trump, the President-elect, and most Republicans oppose. During his campaign, Trump stated that if he won, he would annul the nuclear agreement with Iran. The Obama administration has stated that it would veto any congressional resolution to prohibit the sale of passenger aircraft to Iran, as it would undermine the nuclear agreement. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, John Kirby, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said that the issuance of this license is unrelated to the U.S. elections and should not be viewed as the Obama administration's 'last effort.' Kirby stated that the sale of these aircraft is part of the nuclear agreement with Iran. Airbus was supposed to sell 118 aircraft worth $25 billion to Iran, which Tehran later reduced to 112 aircraft. Boeing has also announced plans to export over 80 aircraft worth $17.6 billion to Iran. The issuance of the Airbus sale license by the U.S. Treasury coincides with a request from Republican leaders in the House of Representatives for Obama to refrain from taking any further actions that would strengthen the nuclear agreement with Iran before leaving the White House. According to the Associated Press, House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, made this request to the President on Tuesday, December 2. Republicans have stated that they plan to soon pass a bill to expand sanctions against Iran. They added that signing this bill should be Obama's last action regarding Iran before leaving the White House. These leaders emphasized that the U.S. government should not lift sanctions, issue new business licenses, or publish new guidelines for foreign companies regarding legal trade with Iran. They argued that Donald Trump, the President-elect, should have the opportunity to evaluate U.S. policy toward Iran without Obama complicating it. The White House has not yet responded to this letter. In this context, the House of Representatives has passed a ban on the sale of passenger aircraft to Iran. The first Airbus for Iran Air is 'ready for delivery.' Qasemi stated that the congressional ban on aircraft sales to Iran is not enforceable. The changing landscape of 'proxy wars'; the war against the people in the streets of Iran. The first paragraph; the responsibility of the opposition and the possibility of radicalization in Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis. Trump: I hope there will be no need for further action regarding Iran; they were killing people indiscriminately. The shadow of war over Tehran; 'Trump is seeking decisive military options against Iran.' The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis. Trump emphasizes 'stopping executions in Iran': we do not know what will happen in the future. Trump says if the Islamic Republic attempts to assassinate him, it will be 'wiped off the face of the earth.'