Remains of deceased senior Iranian diplomat transported to Iran from Saudi Arabia

Remains of Iranian senior diplomat Ghazanfar Roknabadi were returned to Iran from Saudi Arabia on 26NOV15, with a ceremonious funeral held 27NOV15 in Tehran.

Iranian media reported the body of Roknabadi, who was declared missing, was identified through fingerprints and DNA testing.  [source: RFE/RL]

Secondary testing will be used to determine if Roknabadi died in the hajj crush, his brother was quoted saying by ISNA news agency.

"If the result of examinations in Tehran contradicts the Saudis' claim that my brother died in the Mina incident we will complain via international forums," Morteza Roknabadi said.

He acknowledged the rumours about his brother's death, which followed recent remarks by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian. [source: AFP]

Following is Iran media imagery of the transfer of Roknabadi's remains at THR:

Aircraft observed in transporting of Roknabad's remains to THR is Iran Air Airbus A320-232, reg. EP-IEB (cn 575)

Artesh presidential guard serve as pallbearers 26NOV15 at Mehrabad International Airport

Lebanese Hezbollah flag displayed at funeral procession for Ghazanfar Roknabadi

Until last year, Roknabadi was Tehran's envoy to Beirut, a highly sensitive post. Lebanon is home to the Iranian-backed Shiite movement Hezbollah, allied with President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war, who Riyadh has repeatedly urged to stand down. [source: AFP]

Imagery of the deceased on IRI flag-draped coffin, during funeral procession in Tehran

Bereaved family members during the funeral of Ghazanfar Roknabadi, in Tehran

Bereaved family members with image of the deceased at the funeral of Ghazanfar Roknabadi, in Tehran

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Imagined Iran Air Boeing 747-8 Intercontinetal aircraft - rendering

(click on image to enlarge)

Acceptance process of the Iran nuclear deal at the United States Congress as well as relevant branches of government in the Islamic Republic of Iran has reportedly been contentious.

In this observer's view, there are many positives to be gained in accepting the Iran nuclear deal. Above is just one example of the possibilities specifically provided for in the JCPOA: purchases of American commercial jetliners by Iran.

Above is an imagined Iran Air Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft, resurrecting the EP-IAH registration that belonged to the now retired Iran Air Boeing 747-286B that served the airliner for over 36 years.

Note: above amateur artwork not intended for commercial purposes.

Boeing sales figures to Iran, third quarter 2014

Above: Iran Air Boeing 747-286BM undergoing D Check in 2010 without manufacturer support

According to Reuters:

Boeing said on Wednesday it had sold aircraft-related goods to Iran Air in the third quarter, marking the first acknowledged dealings between U.S. aerospace companies and Iran since 1979.

The Chicago-based aerospace and defense company said in a filing that it sold aircraft manuals, drawings, navigation charts and data to Iran Air to help improve the safety of Iran's civil aviation industry.

The sales did not include spare parts for aircraft, which were thought to be likely since Iran Air's fleet of planes includes vintage Boeing and Airbus jetliners delivered as long ago as 1978.

Boeing and General Electric (GE.N) said in April that they had received export licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control allowing them to sell parts for commercial aircraft to Iran under a temporary sanctions relief deal that began in January.

Boeing said it may sell parts in the future but declined further comment. The sales generated about $120,000 in revenue and about $12,000 in net profit in the quarter, miniscule amounts for a company that reported $23.7 billion in sales in the latest quarter.

COMMENTARY: It is amazing Iranian carriers have for decades managed maintenance and overhaul operations without manufacturer support. Few nations are capable of such pluck and improvisation.

Specified technical and navigation materials will certainly be helpful.

This writer would be interested to know the number of cycles these vintage aircraft have seen.

One can't but wonder about the diplomatic undertones of providing these materials to Iran, as a means of indicating potential future rewards for forgoing their indigenous, industrial-scale nuclear power program, as well as accept subordination within the American-led regional security order. This writer would wager some of those maintenance crew members at Mehrabad may be wishing for just such an outcome.

Likewise Boeing (and Airbus) executives would also be delighted given the opportunity of selling new commercial aircraft to Iran, were relations to improve to the point where this is possible. This would represent potential American job growth in the high tech manufacturing sector, as well.

General Electric CF6-50C2 on Iran Air Airbus A300B2-203, undergoing maintenance in 2008 without manufacturer support

File photos: Majid Khodaei 

Reactivated Iran Air Boeing 747SP jet airliner

                                          Operator: Iran Air
                                          Aircraft Type: Boeing 747SP-86
                                          Reg: EP-IAC (cn 21093/307).
                                          Location: Tehran - Mehrabad International (THR / OIII)
                                          Date: 01JUL14
                                          Photographer: Shahram Sharifi
                                     
Notes: Per photographer, EP-IAC recently reactivated using parts (such as engine #3) from recently retired EP-IAA (see below).

                                           Operator: Iran Air

                                           Aircraft Type: Boeing 747SP-86

                                           Reg: EP-IAA (cn 20998/275)

                                           Location: Tehran - Mehrabad International (THR / OIII)

                                           Date: 11JUN14

                                           Photographer: Taha Ashoori

Notes: Final flight of EP-IAA, now retired and sourced for parts in reactivating EP-IAC (see above).

Boeing Reaches Agreement with Iran on Parts, Services

Boeing announced today that it has reached a deal with Iran’s state carrier Iran Air to supply airplane parts, manuals, drawings, service bulletins, navigation charts and data. Boeing has also opened discussions with Iran Air Tour, a subsidiary of Iran Air, for similar goods and services. (Reuters, 24 July)

The agreement marks the first dealings between U.S. aerospace giant and Iran since the 1979 hostage taking by the Iranians led to the original sanctions against Iran. Iran Air’s fleet still includes vintage Boeing jetliners delivered before 1979.

The sanctions relief by the U.S. that allowed Boeing’s deal was part of the interim nuclear agreement, JPOA, that was signed last year and is now extended until November.

File photo: The Boeing logo is seen at their headquarters in Chicago (JIM YOUNG/ REUTERS/Chicago Tribune, 24 July, 2014)

Fokker agrees to pay $21 million penalty for selling aircraft parts to Iran

 

Above: maintenance being performed on an Iran Air Fokker 100 (F-28-0100)

According to the New York Times (05JUN14):

A unit of Fokker Technologies of the Netherlands, a leading aerospace company and Pentagon contractor, has agreed to pay $21 million in penalties to settle accusations that it repeatedly violated American sanctions on sales of aircraft parts to Iran and Sudan, the United States government announced Thursday.

A statement by the Treasury Department, which oversees compliance with sanctions, said the unit, Fokker Services, had agreed to pay a $10.5 million civil penalty to the Treasury and Commerce Departments and another $10.5 million under a deferred-prosecution agreement with the Justice Department. The statement said the company, which could have been liable for a potential $51 million in penalties, had accepted “responsibility for its egregious conduct involving over 1,150 alleged violations of U.S. sanctions.”

The Treasury statement said that from 2005 to 2010, the company indirectly exported or re-exported aircraft spare parts to Iranian or Sudanese customers without the required licensing by government authorities. The settlement covered 1,112 apparent violations of Iranian sanctions and 41 apparent violations of Sudanese sanctions.

A number of Iran civil carriers operate the Fokker 100 (F-28-0100) including Iran Air, Iran Aseman Airlines and Qeshm Airlines, while the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Aviation operates Fokker F-27-400M Troopships

Below: IRINA Fokker F-27-400M Troopship

File photos: Mehrad Watson and Shari(Shahram)

Half of Iran's Grounded Airplanes Are Irreparable - ICAO

Director of Iranian Civil Aviation Organization Alireza Jahangirian said in Tehran that 100 airplanes in the country’s fleet are grounded, with half of them irreparable, IRNA reported today.

“Age and depreciation were the main reasons for grounding the planes,” Jahangirian said. (IRNA, 17 May)

Under JPOA, the interim nuclear agreement with world powers, Boeing and General Electric have received license from the U.S. Treasury to export plane parts to Iran. It was reported earlier that the representatives of the two companies have met with Iran Air officials after obtaining the license, but no details were available.

The Treasury license covers only part of Iran’s aging fleet, which also includes non-America airplanes.

File photo: An Iran Air Boeing 727-200Adv at Tehran Mehrabad Airport, 2010. (airlines.net/Wikiopedia)

Iran may buy up to 400 airliners in next decade if sanctions lifted

The head of Iran's Civilian Aviation Organization, Reza Jahangirian, has recently stated that, "Iranian airlines will be ready to buy 40 passenger planes every year for 10 years if sanctions are lifted." (Reuters, May 1 2014)

Jahangirian also said that out of Iran's present fleet of 250 commercial planes about 150 are flying whilst the rest are "not functional" owing to their ages and the ban on the import of spare parts Iran as part of the broader economic sanctions imposed on the country.

He also said that, "We have got very positive signals from Western companies, including Boeing Co. and General Electric Co. (GE) about getting new spare parts for our planes."

Amongst the few restrictions which have been lifted, as part of the temporary interim nuclear deal made last November, are the strict restrictions which prevent Iran from buying spare parts needed to maintain its commercial air fleet.


GE has already gotten approval from the U.S. Treasury to service 18 engines whcih were sold to Iran back in the late 1970's before the revolution.

Jahangirian also said that Iran has undergone "technical" steps in the preparation of the resumption of direct flights from the United States to Iran. (AP, April 30 2014)

IRGC military funeral for unknown soldiers of Iran-Iraq War

Delivery of remains of Iranian unknown soldiers to Ardebil aboard chartered Iran Air McDonnell Douglas MD-82 (DC-9-82)

IRGC honor guard for three unknown soldiers of the Iran-Iraq War. Guardsmen AK-type assault rifles presented with fixed bayonets.

IRGC funeral procession from Ardebil Airport (ADU / OITL)

Red Crescent vehicles serving as hearses for remains of unknown soldiers of Iran-Iraq War

IRGC colonel from Hazrat-e Abbas Corps accepting remains of unknown soldiers

Remains of three unknown soldeirs of the Iran-Iraq War, placed in honor

Photos: Mehr News Agency

Boeing to Sell Aircraft Parts to Iran; GE to Overhaul Engines for Iran Air

The U.S. Treasury Department today issued a license for Boeing to sell aircraft parts to Iran. Meanwhile, General Electric announced today that it too has received license to overhaul 18 engines sold to Iran Air in late 1970s.

The licenses were issued under the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) signed in Geneva last November between Iran and the world powers.

The Boeing license allows the giant aerospace company to provide “spare parts that are for safety purposes.” Boeing will still not be allowed to sell new planes to Iran. (AFP, 4 April)

Meanwhile, GE spokesman Rick Kennedy said the Treasury’s approval will allow the company to service 18 engines at facilities owned by GE or Germany's MTU Aero Engines, which is licensed to do the work. GE officials will meet with Iran Air and MTU in Istanbul next week to discuss the project. (Reuters, 4 April)

File photo: An Iran Air Boeing 747 (Getty)

Iran Air 747 EP-IAM retired

The worlds last active passenger 747-100 series retiring: Iran Air Boeing 747-186B, Reg: EP-IAM (cn 21759/381), January 8, 2014 at Mehrabad International Airport (THR / OIII).

Airborne for the last time, EP-IAM makes the short ferry flight from Mehrabad to Imam Khomeini International Airport for retirement at IKA / OIIE.

Photos by Hamid Reza Jafari and Iman Asgari

Iran Air 747 EP-IAI returns to Mumbai, India route

                                                 Operator: Iran Air
                                                 Aircraft: Boeing 747-230BM
                                                 Reg: EP-IAI (cn 22670/550)
                                                 Date: October 15, 2013
                                                 Location: CSIA, Mumbai, India
                                                 Photographer: Nishant Deshpande

                                                 Notes: After more than a year being overhauled this aircraft returned to
                                                 service in early 2013, including this Iran Air flight IR 811 from India, BOM-IKA.

Still flying! Iran Air B747SP-86

Operator: Iran Air

Aircraft: Boeing 747SP-86

Reg: EP-IAC (cn 21093/307)

Flight: Kerman (KER) - Baghdad (BGW)

Photographer: Farzad Farajpour

Date: July 26, 2013

Another wet-lease aircraft for Iran commercial aviation carrier

 

Above: Iran Air McDonnell Douglas MD-82 (DC-9-82), UR-CJZ (cn 49506/1400) at Mehrabad International (THR / OIII), August 2013 [Shahram Sharifi / Airliners.net]

Iran Air has added to the fleet its first MD-82. This aircraft operated by Ukraine's Bukovyna Airlines was previously wet-leased to Iran Air subsidiary Iran Airtour Airline. Iran Airtour operates three MD-82s itself and leases another ten from Bukovyna (as well as a single MD-83). [Source: ch aviation]

Iran Air Fokker 100 maintenance at Merhrabad

Iran Air technicians atop wing of Fokker 100 (F-28-0100)  EP-CFM (cn 11394)

Posted 7/26/13 at Iran Air on Facebook

Fokker 100 (F-28-0100) EP-IDA (cn 11292) in front of Iran Air overhaul hangar

Photographed 7/1/13 by Mehrad Watson / Airliner.net

Fokker 100 (F-28-0100) EP-CFL (cn 11343) inside Iran Air's Azadi Hangar

Photographed May 2013 by Mehrad Watson / Airliners.net

Unforgettable Iran Air experience - Video

Sam Chui flies into Iran just to get the chance of return flying aboard the restored and upgraded, classic Iran Air Boeing 747-286BM 'Azarabadegan,' EP-IAG (cn 21217/291).

Interesting travel details for Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini airports, as well as IranAir flight details from a highly motivated aviation enthusiast

Iran Commemorates Victims of Iran Air Airbus

Iran marked the 25th anniversary of the downing of an Iran Air Airbus A-300 by a U.S. Navy warship. 290 passenger and crew lost their lives in the 1988 incident.

“Based on regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization, the Americans are responsible for the incident and the casualties,” said Brig. Gen. Farzad Esmaili, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base during a commemoration gathering in Tehran on Wednesday.

“They (the U.S.) did compensate the victims, but they never accepted responsibility for the incident, “ Gen. Esmaili added.

The Airbus A-300 had just taken off from the southern Iranian coastal city of Bandar Abbas en route to Dubai when it was targeted by two Standard missiles fired from USS Vincennes. Following the incident, U.S. officials said their warship mistook the jetliner for an attacking Iranian F-14 fighter plane. Washington later paid compensations for the Iranian victims and the aircraft.

Today, a group of Iranians also gathered at the site of the incident in the Persian Gulf and threw flowers into water in memory of their relatives killed onboard the airplane (as shown in a photo by IRNA).

Takeoff and climb from Mehrabad Airport - Video

Date: January 2013

Location: Mehrabad International (THR / OIII)

Airline: Iran Air 

Aircraft: Fokker 100 (F-28-0100), EP-CFQ (cn 11429)

 

File photo of aircraft: Shary at Airliners.net)
Video uploaded by sinaflac at YouTube