Boeing-Iran $16.6bn deal for jets the first since 1979

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Some 100,000 jobs and several billion dollars have been secured by Boeing in its deal with Iran Air – putting Republicans who want to rescind the new relationship with the country in a tricky spot. The deal, for 50 737s and 30 777s, will see deliveries start in 2018. However, export credit financing for the deal could be halted, if Congress bars the US Ex-Im Bank from helping to fund the aircraft. But president-elect Trump, who has opposed the US deal with Iran, will be hard pushed to order a ban on Boeing sales to Iran when the orderbook is so large, job numbers high – and Airbus is competing.