Thursday, August 13, 2015

Iran Government B737 takes FM Zarif to Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrives at Islamabad - Benazir Bhutto International Airport (ISB / OPRN) on 13AUG15 at approximately 06:30 hrs local time.

Zarif's aircraft is Islamic Republic of Iran Government Boeing 737-286/Adv, reg. EP-AGA (cn 21317/483). For this current trip, EP-AGA has flown the foreign minister to Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan, with the next scheduled scheduled for India. Two weeks ago, this aircraft flew Zarif to Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq. [see HERE]

This aircraft recently underwent D-check by Iran Air at Tehran - Mehrabad International (THR / OIII). [For aircraft history, click HERE].

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrives on 13AUG15 at Islamabad - Benazir Bhutto International Airport

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif shakes hands with Artesh lieutenant colonel, likely a military attache to Pakistan.

EP-AGA seen arriving on 12AUG15 at Damascus International Airport (DAM / OSDI). Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is welcomed by Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on 12AUG15

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, on 12AUG15 in Beirut

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Gebran Bassil, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of Lebanon, on 12AUG15 in Beirut.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samir Moqbel, on 12AUG15 in Beirut.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with Seyed Hassan Nasrallah, Secretary-General of Hezbollah, on 12AUG15 in Beirut

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency, Hezbollah Media Department and Reuters

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

This B737 airplane with its cigar-shaped engines must be an antiquated model .

Anonymous said...

When the counties air force is antiquated what do you expect of its civil airliner fleet?

Anonymous said...

Those are Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engines , mainly used on Boeing 737-100/200,707, 727 and Mc Donald Douglas DC-9 , MD-80. They are very safe and reliable engines. In 1999 Pratt & Whitney made modifications making it more efficient with higher trust with much less emissions and environment friendly. New variant is currently being used on MD series of air crafts. Iran is in the final process of establishing a manufacturing line for JT8D-219 varient. JT8D-22 engine with some modification for afterburner was used in SAAB 37 Viggen fighters (Engine was called Volvo RM8).
These engines are used in ministers aircraft because they are reliable and their maintenance is 100% supported domestically.

Anonymous said...

Yes it was announced at Kish air show in 2013. I wonder what stage is the JT8D-219 after two years. Thanks for bringing it up. It would be significant of it is done as it is still being used and modified.

Anonymous said...

After nearly 18 years I'm still waiting for the "advanced" jet that performs better than the F18.All hot air with none of the substance.

Anonymous said...

Well, this is what Islamic Republic political mans call it JIHADI MANAGEMENT " مدیریت جهادی ". Starting a project without realistic and scientific studies with indefinite time frame to finish with multiple cost and multiple inaugurations. Another example is Shafagh training fighter project and another one is "سد گتوند" (which has turned into national environmental catastrophe in a dry country where a drop of water matters) and ... ∞

Anonymous said...

@Anon 8:38, I thought you have other business and didn't know you are waiting for us. So sorry dude. Our apologies! We have been also waiting 35 years for sanction relief and some cash to make your Jet! If only you could provide cash and we provide the jet or better both of us buy Rafale or SAAB 39 Gripen then both need not to wait! What a pitty :( We lost 18 years of love!

Anonymous said...

This has much less to do with sanctions. It is more related to assigning those who know minimum about the task they have been assigned to and their misconducts caused by conspiracy, corruption, lack of knowledge and mismanagement. An obvious example of this is the continuous failure of An-140 air crafts. How many accidents should happen before it rings the bell for the excellencies. As it says in Farsi " این خانه از پای بست ویران است".

Anonymous said...

Anon 3:04 AM

Yes that saying is very true.When you have a rotten foundation any structure built on it will collapse.