The House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday evening that would block Boeing’s planned sale of aircraft to Iran Air — a transaction that has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), joined by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), pushed for two amendments to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, one to block the Boeing sale and the other to prevent any American bank from financing it. Both amendments passed by voice vote, which, according to Roskam’s office, indicates “overwhelming, bipartisan support.”
Democratic lawmakers have become increasingly critical of the sale. “I do have concerns about facilitation of commerce with Iran as they are still violating ballistic missiles and doing other things,” said Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.). “It’s a private decision made by a U.S. company, and they have the right to do it, but it does give me some concern.” Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) also raised his concerns about the possible implications of the deal on national security. “I’m sure that Boeing is happy to sell airplanes to anybody,” he said. “I’m concerned about [the] support that Iran has for anybody that wants to do harm to America, or Israel, or any of us.”
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) pointed out that “[y]ou can’t assure that [the planes] won’t be used for terrorism. There would be consequences if there were. Selling anything to Iran, I think, raises questions and challenges.” Coons did add, however, that he expected Boeing to conduct proper research on Iran Air.
In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, Rep. Sherman wrote, “Iran Air’s aircraft will undoubtedly be used in the future to continue to funnel lethal assistance to Assad, to Hezbollah, and to other terrorist entities.” Speaking at a hearing at the House Financial Services Committee on Thursday, Sherman added, “We’re being asked to transfer planes to a company, Iran Air that has served as an air force for terrorism.”
Iran Air was designated by the U.S. Treasury in 2011 partially due to its transport of “potentially dangerous Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-related cargo” and “missile or rocket components” to Syria. Just last month, the airline flew known weapons resupply routes to Syria three times. A Western intelligence report seen by Reuters in 2012 noted that Iran continued using civilian aircraft to transport large amounts of arms and personnel to aid Assad.
Boeing’s decision to sell aircraft to Iran has been heavily criticized. Reps. Peter Roskam (R – Ill.) and Jeb Hensarling (R – Texas) sent a letter to Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg last month arguing that “American companies should not be complicit in weaponizing the Iranian Regime.” Emanuele Ottolenghi, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, also warned that Iran’s history of using civilian aircraft for military purposes could make Boeing complicit in Iran’s support for Assad, including the regime’s war crimes. If the plane sales are determined to have aided the abuses of the Assad regime, the company could become subject to sanctions.
[Photo: Pieter van Marion / Flickr ]