By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

The U.S. on Wednesday said it has provided the first two licenses to allow aerospace companies Boeing and Airbus to proceed with aircraft sales to Iran.

A Treasury Department spokesperson said the licenses “contain strict conditions to ensure that the planes will be used exclusively for commercial passenger use and cannot be resold or transferred to a designated entity.”

The U.S. agreed to allow Iran to purchase commercial passenger aircraft to update its ageing passenger fleet under the internationally brokered Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that places restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

Much of Iran’s existing fleet was purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

A proposed multibillion deal between Boeing and Tehran would allow Iran Air to buy 80 passenger jets from the American aerospace giant as well as receive Boeing’s help in leasing 29 new Boeing 737s.

According to reports, France’s Airbus wants to sell 118 aircraft to Tehran, which has said it wants to buy up to 500 aircraft over the next decade in the wake of the nuclear accord.

Critics have said the sales threaten a boost in support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, citing Iran’s alleged air lifts in support of his government.