But News From Tehran May Be News To US

Iran's beleaguered aviation industry, featuring 13 carriers and a fleet of 120 planes with an average age of 16 years, may see its shortage of spare parts greatly improved with what could be a breakthrough deal, if approved by the US Department of Treasury.

According to several overseas sources, in October the US Commerce and State Departments approved a temporary suspension of the US-led embargo that has hampered Iran's access to American and Western aircraft parts.

The deal would allow the servicing and supplying of parts to American-made engines on a limited number of Iran Air jets produced by Airbus.

Iranian authorities told the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) Friday that the US had "officially agreed" to overhaul six of that country’s Airbus A310s.

"The official procedures of overhauling six Iranian Airbus aircrafts were finalized by US and Iran’s related officials, and currently we are searching for a third party country to execute the required major repairs." That country would most likely be in Europe, according to sources in Iran.

The Fars News Agency, however, said in their report that it is a "recommendation" under consideration by the US Department of Treasury.

"The recommendation, now under consideration by the US Department of Treasury, was made after American aviation officials warned the engines were in need of immediate overhaul.

The airplane engine parts would not be shipped to Iran, according to Fars. "Instead, components would be exported to unidentified third countries, which would conduct the repairs for Iran Air."

The cooperation, if confirmed by the US, appears to be the first between the two countries in the aviation sector since the Iranian Revolution. At that time bilateral ties were cut, and Washington placed heavy trade sanctions on Tehran.

Iranian carriers operate a number of American aircraft purchased during the time of the former Pahlavi regime, as well as Airbus planes with engines from American firm General Electric.

Iran has been banned from purchasing Boeing planes, and has had difficulty procuring European planes made with American-made components. As a result, Iran has been forced to purchase Russian aircraft.

The aircraft, equipped with US-made General Electric engines, are currently grounded at Tehran's Mehrabad airport, according to Fars.

Iran has one of the world's worst air safety records, with deadly crashes claiming more than 600 lives in the past five years. The International Air Transport Association said recent crashes were to eastern-built aircraft, that there is most likely not a relationship to the western-built parts issue.

FMI: http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/world/iran/index.html