By Tim Hepher
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran urged the United States on Sunday to remove remaining obstacles to buying passenger planes following the lifting of international sanctions and it spread out the welcome mat to foreign investors as it seeks to boost its aviation sector.
Iran provisionally agreed earlier this year to buy over 200 jets worth $50 billion at list prices from Airbus (PA:AIR) and Boeing (N:BA) under an agreement between Tehran and world powers to ease sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear activities.
Both deals hinge on a longer-than-expected process of winning U.S. Treasury approval, which is needed because of the high proportion of U.S. parts in virtually all modern jetliners, including those made by Europe's Airbus.
There have also been delays in getting European banks to finance the deals because of restrictions over the use of U.S. dollars and concerns over legal risks if sanctions are re-imposed.
Roads and Urban Development Minister Abbas Akhoundi told an aviation conference that Iran was complying with its obligations and continued to negotiate with other planemakers.
"We are negotiating with all those big names. ... There are a lot of obstacles but I am sure that because we have respected all the international rules and regulations, all those problems are going to be resolved," he told the CAPA Aviation Finance Summit, the second large gathering of aviation leaders in Tehran since sanctions were lifted in January.
Critics in the U.S. Congress argue that Iran could use passenger jets for military purposes such as transporting fighters to battle U.S. troops or allies in Syria or transfer the aircraft to airlines still under U.S. sanctions.
U.S. critics of the nuclear deal also say it could allow Iran to skirt remaining sanctions by transferring jets acquired by national carrier IranAir to airlines that remain on a U.S. blacklist, such as the country's largest carrier, Mahan Air.
In an interview with Reuters, Akhoundi dismissed the concerns.
"We are committed to any contract that we sign," he said.
CLOSE TO FINALISING AIRBUS DEAL
He also told a news conference that the Tehran event, attended by dozens of foreign firms, proved aviation was international in scope and "the U.S. government cannot stand against it," according to a translation of his remarks.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed two amendments in July that would stop the aircraft sales, although to become law, they need to be approved by the Senate and signed by President Barack Obama.
Iran estimates it will need at least 400 aircraft to renew and expand its fleet, including some 250 in the next 10 years.
It is close to finalising its deal to buy over 100 Airbus jets, subject to the granting of U.S. licences, Akhoundi said.
"Yes, we are in agreement with them. We are discussing," he said.
Iran previously held out against finalising the deal as long as questions remained over U.S. approval, but now appears ready to sign a conditional contract, industry sources said.
Iran is also negotiating with Brazilian jetmaker Embraer (SA:EMBR3), a senior Iranian official said. It is in negotiations with the rail-making unit of Canada's Bombardier (TO:BBDb), although not with its aircraft unit, he told Reuters.
Iran is dangling the prospect of significant business for Western companies including nationwide airport expansion as it emerges from decades of sanctions, although such deals face domestic criticism from conservatives opposed to Iran's greater openness under pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani.
Akhoundi urged investors attending the conference to invest in Iran's airports, which are operating beyond capacity.
"They are all ready to attract investors, who are welcome to invest in any part," he told the conference at Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport, which plans a $2.8 billion expansion.