Rafsanjani charters Mahan Air Airbus A306 to Mashhad

Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani descending canopied passenger boarding stairs, upon his arrival at Mashhad - Shahid Hashemi Nejad Airport (MHD / OIMM).  Flight details listed below, sourced from Flightradar24.com:

Rafsanjani's chartered aircraft is Mahan Air Airbus A300B4-603, reg. EP-MNI (cn 408). The aircraft is 28.5 years old.

The current Chairman of Expediency Discernment Council is seen being received by officials including an Artesh brigadier general 2C.

Rafsanjani accompanied by Razavi Khorasan Province Governor Ali Reza Rashidiyan (to his right)

On 03AUG15 Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani officially announced his intention to run for re-election to the Assembly of Experts in February 2016, prompting backlash from the more conservative establishment. [see HERE]

A political moderate, the former President of Iran supports the Rouhani administration and its signing of the JCPOA.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Boeing 737 type additions to two Iranian airlines

First identified addition is Sepehran Airlines Boeing 737-529, reg. PK-TXH (cn 25218/2111).

Aircraft photographed 20JUL15 by Mohammadreza Farhadi Aref at Shiraz - Shahid Dastghaib International (SYZ / OISS).

Aircraft is 23.9 years old, obtained by Shiraz-based Sepehran Airline from Indonesia's Expressair. (Second B737 obtained through such arrangements, the first being PK-TXG.)

Second identified addition is Taban Airlines Boeing 737-4Q8, reg. EY-754 (cn 28202/3009).

Aircraft photographed 26JUL15 by Habib Noei Oskuyi at Tabriz - Shahid Madani International (Shaheed Fakouri) (TBZ / OITT).

Aircraft is 17.4 years old, obtained by Mashhad-centered Taban Airlines through wet lease arrangement with Tajikistan's Tajik Air.

Zarif and Salehi return to Iran aboard IRIG Airbus A321

Above: Returning nuclear negotiators Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and Mohammad Javad Zarif, foreign minister of Islamic Republic of Iran, upon landing at Mehrabad International Airport (THR) at 07:50 hrs on 15JUL15.

The aircraft departed Vienna the preceding day, scheduled to fly straight to THR, however the diplomatic team and accompanying press members appear to have flown on to Mashhad for pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Imam Reza. In the morning, the aircraft brought them to THR.

Aircraft is IRIG Airbus A321-231, reg. EP-AGB (cn 1202). It is a 15.3 year old aircraft that Iran's government obtained in 2005. This same aircraft last week transported President Rouhani to the BRICS, SCO, EEU Summit at Ufa, Russia.

The recently signed Iran nuclear agreement provides American civil aircraft manufacturers the ability to sell aircraft to Iranian passenger airlines. Specifically, it is hoped Boeing will be able to take advantage of this agreement, making profitable sales of 747-8 and 787 aircraft and in so doing providing jobs to American workers.

IRGC Brig. Gen. Abdollahi tours Mashhad Urban Railway Line 2 construction site

Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Reconstruction and Development Base Brigadier General Ebadollah Abdollahi (in uniform), touring the Mashhad Urban Railway Line 2 construction site on 06FEB15.

An Iranian Safety & Health Expert (HSE) official before a TBM cuter head that's successfully entered a station site, currently under construction.

Group photo of what appear to be Khatam al-Anbiya subway construction workers

What appears to be a phase in the cut-and-cover operation of this section Mashhad Urban Railway Line 2 construction site

KATO NK 200 series mobile crane employed in the construction of Mashhad Urban Railway Line 2

Photos: Nima Najafzadeh at Tasnim News Agency

Update: 'Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz' in Mashhad, under construction

Rapid progress at the "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz" site at Mashhad continues to be observed, defying generalized assessments of an Iranian economy effectively "demolished" by sanctions and poor management.

Commercial section of the complex appears complete, with stylized pavement, walkway and landscaping also appearing complete.

Detail of stylized pavement at "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz." Note operating outdoor LED display board advertising screen, in the distance.

Fireworks display, celebrating a phase completion of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz" in Mashhad

Last month a large turnout observed for the opening of the newly completed ice skating rink, located within the "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz" complex in Mashhad.

Newly completed, ornate Japanese garden at "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz" in Mashhad

Detail of newly completed Japanes garden at "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz" in Mashhad

Photo from last month depicting progress at the "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz" water park construction site

Panoramic view of activity at the "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz" water park construction site

Large telescopic crane in use at the "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz" water park construction site

Progress: Mashhad Urban Railway Line 2, under construction

Photo progress report for construction of Mashhad Urban Railway Line 2, since last observed here at UOI on 02OCT14.

Above: Massive EPB Shield (NHI Technology) type TBM in use. Reportedly of the 14.5 km long section to be bored, 350 meters are left to be drilled.

Behind section of the EPB Shield (NHI Technology) type TBM, in use at the Mashhad Urban Railway Line 2 subterranean construction site.

Tunnel section with prefab wall sections in place

Stacked prefab wall sections, staged for placement

German-made Schöma tunnel work train, Mashhad Urban Railway Line 2

Outside view of tunnel outlet, Mashhad Urban Railway Line 2

Section before what is believed to Shariati station, Mashhad Urban Railway Line 2

Structure taking shape for what is believed to be Shariati station

Iranian workmen tending rebar grid section for construction of facade, believed to be Shariati station

Map of envisioned Mashhad Urban Railway (Line 2 in blue)

Photos: Mohammad Zaernia at news.mashhad.ir

Update: 'Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz' in Mashhad, under construction

Considerable progress detected at the massive construction site for "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz" in Mashhad. To put this construction activity into perspective, UOI report from 14JAN14 click HERE, from 18AUG13 click HERE. Readily apparent in these images there is no slowdown in effect for this development.

This is a multipart post, with parts below related to construction, outdoor artworks and retail stores interiors.

Hotel seen in yellow steel frame at left, with residential section seen at right in orange steel frame

Aerial view of residential section at left and hotel at right

Hotel in yellow steel fame, rising vertically with the assistance of at least six tower cranes. Click HERE to gauge the level of progress as seen last December 2013.

View of the giant outdoor LED and sculpture adorning the shopping mall section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

Exterior view of indoor amusement park section, under construction

Interior view of indoor amusement park section, under construction. Note two large LED displays.

ARTWORKS

Numerous pieces of sculpture by local artists have been situated within the "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz" site in Mashhad. See below for additional examples.

Detail of "Man hoisting block" situated near largely mixed-use section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

Detail of "Man with suitcase" situated near largely mixed-use section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

Detail of "Pegasus in steel" sculpture, near shopping mall section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

Concrete and steel spring sculpture, near shopping mall section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

Modern art sculpture situated near mixed-use section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

Anthropomorphic pillars sculpture near shopping mall section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

Steel sculpture situated at walkway near shopping mall section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

Sculpture situated near shopping mall section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

"Transformer" sculpture in steel, situated near mixed-use section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

Another "Transformer" sculpture situated near mixed-use section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

SHOPPING MALL RETAIL STORES

Interior detail of a functioning retail clothing store within shopping mall section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

Interior detail of a functioning retail store within shopping mall section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz" (1)

Interior detail of a functioning retail store within shopping mall section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz" (2)

Interior detail of a lounge within shopping mall section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

Interior detail possibly within mixed-use commercial section of "Dreamland of Padideh Shandiz"

Photos: Padideh Shandiz