US aircraft sales to Iran blocked by House amid security concerns

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a measure to block aircraft sales to Iran, potentially undercutting a Boeing deal with Tehran.

Two approved amendments to an appropriations bill from Representative Peter Roskam would ban the sales from Boeing and European rival Airbus amid concerns the aircraft could be used for military purposes, reports the Guardian.

The first amendment would prohibit the Office of Foreign Assets Control from using funds to authorise a license necessary to allow aircraft to be sold to Iran and a second would bar loans from US financial institutions to purchase militarily adaptable aircraft.

However, the ban would need to be approved by the Senate.

The comes weeks after Boeing and Iran Air confirmed a deal worth USD 35 billion for the sale of passenger planes.

This deal was being described as a landmark move to normalise the US-Iran relationship as Washington still has some sanctions in place against Tehran.

Reacting to the report, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said the measure was "incompatible" with the accord, under which Washington was to lift economic sanctions in exchange for Tehran curbing its nuclear activities.

Many lawmakers have opposed deals with Iran, citing that it is a supporter of violent jihadists around the world.