On the front page of the Nov. 17 edition of the Reformist Etemad newspaper, a headline in small type, tucked in a corner, read: “Americans in Kish [Island].” The report detailed how American companies are participating in Iran's 8th International Air Show on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf, even as Iran tries to negotiate deals to buy jets from Airbus and Boeing.

Etemad did not name the US companies participating in the air show, but reported, “Their participation in Iran's air show is a sign of interest in having closer ties with Iran. However, Iran’s agreements with Airbus and Boeing have been overshadowed by a new [US House] bill, and US President-elect Donald Trump’s remarks have deepened the uncertainty of these deals.”

On Sept. 21, after decades of US sanctions on the Iranian aviation industry, Washington granted licenses to Airbus and Boeing to export passenger planes to Iran’s national carrier, Iran Air. But on Nov. 14, the US House attempted to revoke the permission to grant such licenses. President Barack Obama, in response, promised to veto any bill that blocked aircraft exports to Iran.

Etemad further reported that Iranian officials are unsatisfied with the slow pace of progress in carrying out the terms of the nuclear deal that led to the relaxation of nuclear-related sanctions on Iran. Etemad quoted Ali Abedzadeh, the chief executive of Iran Civil Aviation Organization, as saying, “As a result of the nuclear deal, we have seen limited and incomplete relaxation on Iran’s access to aviation services and spare parts.”