ON THE face of it, last July’s nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers (known as the Joint Comprehensive Programme of Action) looks to be in good shape. Last weekend Iran announced that Boeing, an American aircraft maker, is to sell 20 airliners to its national carrier for around $25 billion. That followed a deal in January to buy 118 planes worth $27 billion from Boeing’s European rival, Airbus.
Nothing could better symbolise the transformation of Iran’s relations with the outside world than the re-equipping of its state airline with Western aircraft. However, both deals depend on the US Treasury issuing export licences (Airbus planes have many American-made parts, including engines). The approvals will probably be granted. But the uncertainty feeds a growing Iranian perception that America is using its remaining sanctions to stop Iran from getting its reward for meeting its nuclear obligations.
On that front, the news is mostly good. A month ago, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued its second report on Iran’s compliance with the deal. The impression it gave was of Iran acquiescing in all the verification and...Continue reading
Source: Middle East and Africa http://ift.tt/28OcUvv
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