The AP reports that Iran’s president has pointed to a possible windfall from the nuclear deal with world powers – his country may soon be able to buy badly needed new planes for its aging commercial airplanes.  Hassan Rouhani said Iranian negotiators came away from the talks in Vienna with “achievements beyond the nuclear” agreement and succeeded in having “aviation sanctions removed.”

This simple statement suggests that Iran understands that in the 21st century commercial competition has a lot more to do with national power then old fashioned wars.  Wars are wasteful and hard to win with tanks and missiles.

Iran could do a lot more than replace its existing airfleet.   The middle east is a natural air hub.  The Emirates airline has exploited this an these tiny, wealthy countries now own a major world airline.  How many travelers really want a stop over in Dubai?

Tehran is, I am told, a very attractive world city.  An Iran freed of sanctions and focused on economics rather than war should be able to easily emulate China’s rise an become at least a regional economic super power.

What the Iran nuclear deal means for American business

Meanwhile, back in Seattle (or Charleston SC) international and specifically U.S. sanctions have prohibited sale of Western planes and parts to Iran. The  last time Iran bought new aircraft directly from a Western company was in the early 1990s from the Dutch manufacturer Fokker, which later went bankrupt.   Iran’s Transportation Minister Abbas Akhoundi has said there have been talks with Boeing and Airbus and that initial agreements will likely come in a few months’ time.

“We will provide new aircraft for Iran,” Akhoundi said.