The Boeing contract, the biggest Iran-US deal since the fall of the Shah, clears a major technical hurdle towards implementing last year's pact between Iran and world powers to reopen trade in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear activities.

However, political opposition could yet threaten a deal that would provide a welcome boost to Boeing's order book after a year in which it has lagged behind rival Airbus.

Congressional Republicans are trying to counter last year's nuclear accord, with the US House of Representatives passing a bill last month seeking to restrict financial transactions by US banks in an effort to block the sale of Western passenger jets to Iran.

Test for Trump

The Iranian official said the Boeing deal was subject in part to further agreements on financing, but added that money from the deal would not pass through the US financial system.

Financial sources said Boeing has a financing plan for 15 777-300ER jets, which are expected to be delivered from 2018, but the rest of the financing may still have to be negotiated.

Sunday's move could also test relations between America's top exporter and US President-elect Donald Trump, days after he complained about the cost of new Boeing "Air Force One" jets.

Because of the length of the 10-year deal, some US export licences may need to be extended during Trump's administration. The president-elect, who opposes last year's nuclear sanctions deal with Iran, has also rattled Boeing by sparring with China, which accounts for a fifth of the company's deliveries.


A Boeing statement said the Iranian contract would support tens of thousands of US jobs for the 777-300ER jets and nearly 100,000 US aerospace jobs for the whole package.

In Iran the deal is viewed as a crucial political test for the government of pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani, who has been criticised by hardliners opposed to opening up to the West.

The first Airbus aircraft are expected to reach Iran in 2017. Iran's presidential elections are due in May.

Reuters

Reuters