By Robert Wall

LONDON--Airbus SE said Friday it had delivered the first long-range airliner to Iran since the easing of sanctions on the country, marking another milestone for controversial agreements the European plane maker and rival Boeing Co. struck last year to replenish Iran's aging fleet of planes.

Airbus handed over an A330 widebody plane to Iran Air only two months after it delivered a new short-haul plane to the Iranian flag carrier. The deliveries are part of a 100 aircraft order Iran Air placed with Airbus. The airline also plans to take delivery of 80 long- and short-range planes from Boeing. The orders are worth more than $34.5 billion at list price, though buyers typically get deep discounts.

The aircraft deals have angered U.S. lawmakers opposed to the nuclear deal Western powers agreed to with Iran. The accord struck in 2015 eases sanctions on Iran in return for Tehran agreeing on limits to its nuclear program. Critics of the pact have tried to block the aircraft sales from proceeding, introducing measures in Congress to bar financing the purchases.

Before his election, U.S. President Donald Trump was critical of the nuclear deal. The President hasn't said whether he will try to undo the deals since taking office in January.

Big plane leasing companies this year have said they are reluctant to place planes in Iran until there is greater certainty over U.S. policy on the topic.

Other companies also have slowed efforts to do business in Iran following the election of Mr. Trump.

Iran is in dire need of modern planes. Its commercial aircraft fleet is one of the world's oldest following sanctions that have spanned decades and made obtaining aircraft and parts difficult.

The first Boeing plane isn't due for delivery to Iran Air until next year. Both Boeing, the world's No. 1 plane maker, and Airbus received U.S. licenses for the plane purchases before they were completed in December.

Airbus said Iran Air is due to receive 44 more new A330s. The plane handed over Friday has 32 business class seats and 206 in economy.

Write to Robert Wall at robert.wall@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 10, 2017 09:56 ET (14:56 GMT)

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