An agreed purchase of Russian Sukhoi jets by Iran depends on a license provided by the United States Treasury Department’s OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control), the Secretary of the Association of Iranian Airlines Maqsoud Asadi Samani has said, according to Trend news agency.
Samani noted that the 10-15 percent of components of Russia’s Sukhoi aircraft are manufactured in the United States. This is just one of the reasons the OFAC should grant the license, he added.
“In fact, it is impossible to sell this aircraft to Iran without such a license. The Russians can sell Sukhoi aircraft to Iran without the OFAC’s license only in case when they make changes to components of the aircraft,” Samani explained.
“After the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action began to be implemented, the discussions were held with China regarding procurement of aircraft from this country. But the Chinese aircraft haven’t yet reached the final manufacturing phase. Therefore, these aircraft are not the best possible option for the Iranian airline companies,” Samani explained.
Last week, the chairwoman and CEO of Iran’s flagship carrier Iran Air said the company will negotiate with any supplier, including the Russian Sukhoi, that can sell aircraft and plane parts to Iran without an OFAC license.
Fazaneh Sharafbafi said Iran Air has a strategic plan for the next three years in the face of the U.S. sanctions on Iran’s aviation industry, and welcomes any party that can fulfil its needs. She noted that negotiations have been held to buy the Sukhoi Superjet 100, or planes produced by other non-European countries.
