Iran wants 400 planes, blocked by nuclear sanctions

Iran plans to buy 400 new passenger airplanes until 2025 that will replace the outdated planes the country currently owns.

However, Iran will not be able to conduct the purchase of the planes unless the sanctions over its contested nuclear program are lifted.

Ali Reza Jahangirian, of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, stated that as much as 40% of the Iranian commercial airlines are forced to remain grounded as there are no spare parts for them to be repaired.

An interim deal signed in November now allows Iran to import some of the needed airplane components which are to be shipped from Boeing Co. and General Electric.

Both American companies have received licenses from the US Treasury Department to export plane spare parts to Iran.

The sanctions prohibit Iran to receive weapons, components, technology and dual-use items from other countries, in fear that such products might aid Iran in its suspicious nuclear and missile program.

The penalties will be lifted as soon as the country complies thoroughly with the international nuclear obligations under the pact of The Nonproliferation Treaty.