Boeing to supply kosher parts to Iran Air as incentive to toe NPT line.

Iran has been subject to American sanctions that hinder the purchase of spare parts for nearly all the Boeing planes of civilian carrier Iran Air and its air force since its 1979 Islamic revolution. (1944 pic of pretty Air hostesses in Teheran)

Incentives were offered on Tuesday to Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and to Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, to include waiving trade sanctions against Iran to allow the purchase of American agricultural technology, and said European diplomats and a senior Bush administration officials included a proposal to allow Tehran to purchase aircraft parts from Boeing and Airbus, according to a published report.

The package does not include any specific threat of military action should Iran refuse to suspend its uranium activities. If Iran rejects the offer, differences are likely to re-emerge (you can bet on it) among the six nations as they consider more specific punishments.

Somehow there is a delicious irony that the planes Boeing sent to the Shah, may end up being kept alive by their manufacturer to a regime which POTUS described as being "On the Axis of Evil".

Funny Old business, business. Of course the major nuclear threat in the region is Israel, and the newly privatised El Al are to swap their fleet from Boeing to Airbus - and Iran Air are re-equipping with Airbus - loser ? US Industry.