The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that would block the sale of commercial aircraft to the Iranian regime, a bid to stop sales by Boeing and Airbus that have already been approved by President Barack Obama’s administration.
The bill passed the Republican-led House by 243-174 largely along party lines. Eight Democrats joined Republicans in favor. All 174 “no” votes were from Democrats, Reuters reported.
The measure would bar U.S. Treasury Department from issuing licenses that U.S. banks would need to finance sales of commercial aircraft, the latest in a series of efforts by congressional Republicans to counteract the international nuclear deal between the Iranian regime, the United States and other world powers.
The deals by Airbus and Boeing to sell or lease over 200 jets to IranAir would help modernize and expand the country’s elderly fleet, held together by smuggled or improvised parts after years of sanctions.
Although Airbus is based in France, it must have the U.S. Treasury Department’s approval for the sale because at least 10 percent of the aircraft’s components are American-made.
Opponents of the sale, particularly Republicans who unanimously opposed the nuclear agreement, argue that the passenger aircraft could be used for military purposes such as transporting fighters to battle U.S. troops or allies in Syria.
The White House has said Obama would veto the measure even if it did pass the Senate.