Democratic lawmakers are joining their Republican counterparts in expressing concern that a pending multi-billion dollar deal between Boeing and Iran will endanger American security. The estimated $17.6 billion agreement for dozens of planes would be the largest American business transaction with the Islamic Republic since sanctions on the country were partially lifted under the nuclear deal.
Controversy surrounding the agreement has steadily spread to both chambers of Congress. Critics are concerned that Iran Air, which was sanctioned in 2011 by the Obama administration, is controlled by the Iranian military and has been used to ferry weapons to Iranian-backed actors, including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The administration used a “technicality” under the Iran deal to lift the sanctions and enable the sale.
Lawmakers in the House have already moved to investigate the agreement, and criticism is growing on the Senate side.
Democratic senator Chris Coons of Delaware, who supported the Iran deal last summer, told THE WEEKLY STANDARD that he was wary of the sale.
“Of course I have concerns that the Iranians will misuse any assets,” Coons said. “You can’t assure that [the planes] won’t be used for terrorism. There would be consequences if they were. Selling anything to Iran, I think, raises questions and challenges.” Despite his concerns, the Delaware senator told TWS that he trusted Boeing would “do thorough research before moving ahead with the sale.”
Democratic senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia also told TWS that he was worried about the impact of the Boeing deal on national security.
“I’m sure that Boeing is happy to sell airplanes to anybody,” Manchin, one of four Democrats to vote against the Iran deal, 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. I’m very much concerned about that.”
Democratic senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also told TWS he felt unease about the deal, but said Boeing has the right to go through with it.
“I do have concerns about facilitation of commerce with Iran as they are still violating ballistic missiles and doing other things,” Cardin said, referring to a United Nations Security Council resolution prohibiting Iran from using ballistic missiles. “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.”
Despite congressional pushback, the Obama administration has welcomed the Boeing deal and is reportedly advising the Chicago-based company on how to skirt remaining sanctions in Iran.
“Boeing has been in close contact with the State Department regarding this deal,” State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters last month. “We committed, as you know, to licensed sales of civil passenger aircraft and will continue to implement this and all of our JCPOA commitments.”
The administration’s embrace of the agreement is in keeping with Secretary of State John Kerry’s campaign to encourage foreign banks and businesses to trade and invest in Iran. Administration officials have expressed hope that business deals, like the one with Boeing, would “over time” change the political climate in Iran and solidify Obama’s nuclear deal legacy.
Critics also worry that the administration will deny lawmakers the necessary information to evaluate the sale.
“The administration is trying to establish irreversible facts before giving Congress enough information to weigh in on the sale,” said Omri Ceren, an Iran expert at The Israel Project, a DC-based organization. “Eventually the administration will probably disclose how they’re licensing and financing the sale, but not before too many papers are signed and too many details are worked out for lawmakers to do anything. If Congress wants to act, it will have to act broadly and act now.”
A House Financial Services subcommittee will hold a hearing on the sale’s potential ramifications Thursday. Republican Congressman Peter Roskam of Illinois, whose legislation against the agreement will be discussed during the hearing, slammed Boeing last week for ignoring American security in order “to make a quick buck.”
