An Iran Air Boeing 747 in 2009. (Shahram Sharifi via Wikimedia Commons)

An Iran Air Boeing 747 in 2009. (Shahram Sharifi via Wikimedia Commons)

Why would Boeing sell to Iran? There are 25 billion reasons

Boeing and Congress are having a little spat.

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives says Boeing shouldn’t be allowed to sell and lease more than 100 airliners in a deal worth $25 billion. Boeing and President Barack “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone” Obama say the deal should go through, since Iran has been following the terms of last year’s deal that shut down its nuclear program.

Let’s look at the arguments on both sides.

Congress: Iran is an oppressive regime and a persistent threat to U.S. allies. Since 1979, it has kidnapped Americans, directed terror attacks and given safe harbor to al-Qaida terrorists.

Boeing: That’s 25 BILLION dollars, with a B.

Congress: Iran Air is a key lifeline for Syrian tyrant Bashar al-Assad, ferrying troops and weapons that have been used in the horrific, ongoing violence against civilians.

Boeing: Did we mention the $25 billion?

Congress: Iran is under economic sanctions for a reason. It’s developed ballistic missiles capable of hitting Israel and Europe, threatened to shut down international waterways and tolerated hackers who launched cyberattacks on the U.S.

Boeing: That’s a dollar sign followed by a two, a five and NINE zeroes.

Congress: Boeing is never going to see that money. Iran is broke after years of sanctions, and the words “state sponsor of terrorism” really hurt its credit score.

Boeing: Iran badly needs new airplanes, and the sale is crucial to the nuclear deal. We’ll be in more danger in the long run if Iran restarts its nuclear program, and killing the sale would cost thousands of potential jobs, many of them in Washington. Also, $25 billion.

In our latest poll at HeraldNet.com, we asked who’s right. Our voters took Boeing over Congress, 56 percent to 44 percent. While President-elect Donald Trump seems fond of unscientific internet polls, he still could kill the Iran deal.

Money usually talks, but in this case Boeing might get shouted down.

Doug Parry, parryracer@gmail.com; @parryracer.


Talk to us

More in Local News

Cars move across Edgewater Bridge toward Everett on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edgewater Bridge redo linking Everett, Mukilteo delayed until mid-2024

The project, now with an estimated cost of $27 million, will detour West Mukilteo Boulevard foot and car traffic for a year.

Lynn Deeken, the Dean of Arts, Learning Resources & Pathways at EvCC, addresses a large gathering during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Cascade Learning Center on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
New EvCC learning resource center opens to students, public

Planners of the Everett Community College building hope it will encourage students to use on-campus tutoring resources.

Everett Police Chief Dan Templeman announces his retirement after 31 years of service at the Everett City Council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett police chief to retire at the end of October

Chief Dan Templeman announced his retirement at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. He has been chief for nine years.

Boeing employees watch the KC-46 Pegasus delivery event  from the air stairs at Boeing on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Boeing’s iconic Everett factory tour to resume in October

After a three-year hiatus, tours of the Boeing Company’s enormous jet assembly plant are back at Paine Field.

A memorial for a 15-year-old shot and killed last week is set up at a bus stop along Harrison Road on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Teen boy identified in fatal shooting at Everett bus stop

Bryan Tamayo-Franco, 15, was shot at a Hardeson Road bus stop earlier this month. Police arrested two suspects.

Lynnwood
Fatal 2-car crash closes Highway 99 in Lynnwood

Police closed off Highway 99 between 188th Street SW and 196th Street SW while they investigated.

Mike Bredstrand, who is trying to get back his job with Lake Stevens Public Works, stands in front of the department’s building on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Bredstrand believes his firing in July was an unwarranted act of revenge by the city. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens worker was fired after getting court order against boss

The city has reportedly spent nearly $60,000 on attorney and arbitration fees related to Mike Bredstrand, who wants his job back.

Chap Grubb, founder and CEO of second-hand outdoor gear store Rerouted, stands inside his new storefront on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Gold Bar, Washington. Rerouted began as an entirely online shop that connected buyers and sellers of used gear.  (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Used outdoor gear shop Rerouted finds a niche in Gold Bar

Seeking to keep good outdoor gear out of landfills, an online reselling business has put down roots in Gold Bar.

Naval Station Everett. (Chuck Taylor / Herald file)
Everett man sentenced to 6 years for cyberstalking ex-wife

Christopher Crawford, 42, was found guilty of sending intimate photos of his ex-wife to adult websites and to colleagues in the Navy.

Most Read