Boeing back to business in Iran, first time since 1979
In a sign of warming relations with Tehran, American aerospace company Boeing announced it sold products to Iran Air in the third quarter, ending a 35-year freeze that began with the 1979 US hostage crisis.
Boeing, taking advantage of reduced sanctions against Iran, which agreed in November 2013 to halt all nuclear-related research for six months, reported it sold “aircraft manuals, drawings, navigation charts and data” to the Iranian national carrier.
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Although no aircraft or spare parts were included in the $120,000
worth of sales, the news points to a better investment climate
between Boeing and Iran, which is operating a fleet of
rapidly-aging Boeing aircraft.
The US Treasury Department issued a license in April that
permitted Boeing to provide "spare parts that are for safety
purposes" to the Islamic Republic for a "limited period
of time."
Although the US aerospace and defense company is not permitted to
sell aircraft to Iran, it said that more parts could be sold to
Iran Air in the future.
"We may engage in additional sales pursuant to this
license," it added.
International relations with Iran dramatically improved following
an interim nuclear agreement between Tehran and the P5+1 group of
global powers in November 2013. Following the deal, the US,
France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany agreed to reduce
sanctions against Tehran.
Since the sanctions regime was put in place, Iran has experienced
its share of air catastrophes.
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On January 9, 2011, an Iran Air Boeing 727 made a forced landing outside Tehran-Mehrabad Airport, resulting in 105 fatalities.
