TEHRAN (ISNA)- The US State Department said it welcomes Boeing's announcement of a deal with Iran Air, and that it involves the "type of permissible business activity envisioned" in the Iran nuclear deal.

"The State Department welcomes Boeing's announcement of this deal with Iran Air," State Department press secretary John Kirby said at a briefing. "Boeing has been in close contact with the State Department regarding this deal."

Boeing Co. announced earlier that it had signed an agreement with Iran Air "expressing the airline's intent" to buy its aircraft, in what would be the biggest business deal between Iran and a U.S. company since 1979.

Kirby said the U.S. committed to license sales of civil passenger aircraft as a part of the Iran deal, which lifted sanctions.

"The (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) provides an opening for civil aviation companies, including American companies, to pursue legitimate commerce with Iran and we note reports of progress in the aviation sector, which is good both — for both the economy and for public safety," he said.

By ISNA