In September Airbus announced that the U.S. government approved its first sale of 17 planes to Iran after last year’s nuclear agreement eased a decades-long economic embargo. Airbus received a license from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, Airbus spokesman Mary Anne Greczyn said.
“In a country of nearly 80 million people, it is accepted by the industry that there is a market need for some 400 to 500 new commercial planes to replace Iran’s existing, aging fleet and meet growing travel demand,” she told USA TODAY at that time. “Airbus has been working with the relevant authorities for some time to ensure all activities are undertaken in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.”
On Thursday a 243-174 vote bill passed the US House prohibiting the US Treasury Department from licensing the manufacturers and US banks that would finance the commercial aircraft sales to Iran Air. All of the “No”votes were cast by Democrats, but eight Democrats did vote “Aye”with an undivided Republican Party, which has a majority in the House of Representatives.
The bill is expected to face stronger opposition in the US Senate, and President Barack Obama has threatened to veto it even if it passed there. Under an incoming President-elect Donald Trump, however, the bill has a better chance of becoming law.
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