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Boeing finds other buyers as prospects for Iran sales dwindle

There is a sense of deja vu as Boeing finds other countries, including the United Arab Emirates, to fill its order books amid US government pressure.
An Emirates Airlines Boeing 777-300ER plane prepares to take off at Lisbon's airport, Portugal April 24, 2018. REUTERS/Rafael Marchante - RC1391D95F70

Preparing for the possible imminent collapse of the Iran nuclear deal, Boeing Co. has been signing contracts with other buyers, including Iran's adversaries across the Persian Gulf, to cushion the loss of $17 billion in sales to Iran.

In a conference call Wednesday to announce healthy first quarter earnings of $23.4 billion, Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg was asked about the impact of uncertainty over US sanctions on the sale of 15 long-range 777-300ER jets to Iran for which the company had obtained US export licenses. Three of the planes had been scheduled for delivery this year.

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