Hassan Rouhani: Iranian Negotiators Achieved More Than Just Nuclear Deal

The President of Iran stated that Iranian negotiators achieved more than just the nuclear file and lifted sanctions against Iran's aviation industry. Hassan Rouhani, at an Iftar banquet with athletes held on Wednesday night, July 24, stated: "These negotiations have yielded results beyond nuclear sanctions. It was supposed that only nuclear sanctions would be lifted, but our negotiating team succeeded in lifting aviation sanctions that were not part of the nuclear sanctions." Abbas Akhoundi, Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development, also stated that based on the nuclear agreement and the lifting of sanctions, there is now the possibility to purchase first-class airplanes for Iran. According to the state news agency IRNA, Mr. Akhoundi said on Thursday, July 25, after a cabinet meeting: "After the nuclear agreement, we can have direct transportation to Iran in the transportation sector." He added: "For example, ships that used to dock in the southern Persian Gulf can now dock on the shores of Iran, thus reducing transportation costs for Iran." Negotiations with Boeing and Airbus Mr. Akhoundi confirmed that the country is facing problems in the short-haul aircraft sector, saying: "In this area, we have negotiated with two major aviation companies in France, and after an agreement, we can equip our short-haul aircraft fleet." He added: "We have also negotiated with Boeing and Airbus, and we can operationalize the initial agreement in the coming months." The Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran stated: "We will provide first-class airplanes for Iran and will focus on the modernization and reconstruction of the two airlines, Iran Air and Aseman." He also added: "With the nuclear agreement, we can export agricultural products and handicrafts to the U.S. without restrictions and take positive actions in the transportation sector." In response to the question of whether there is a possibility of resuming airline routes between Iran and the U.S., he said: "It is too early to comment on this." Maxim Sokolov, the Russian Minister of Transport, reported on July 24 that Russia is negotiating with Iran for the export of Sukhoi Superjet passenger planes. The Sukhoi Superjet is the only Russian passenger aircraft developed after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Russian transport minister told reporters that "besides Sukhoi aircraft, there are other Russian technologies that would meet the interests of Iranians." Tehran and the six world powers in the group known as 5+1 reached a comprehensive agreement on July 23 after months of negotiations. This agreement means the lifting of financial sanctions against Iran related to its nuclear activities, while Iran also limits its nuclear program. Sanctions imposed by the U.S., Europe, and the Security Council in recent years had placed significant restrictions on Iran's aviation and transportation industries, and several international airlines had cut their ties with Iran. The Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development has urged these airlines to resume their flights to Iran following the implementation of the nuclear agreement. Last week, Reuters reported that Western companies also expect to enter the Iranian aviation market, a country where most of its passenger planes have become outdated and, according to Iranian officials, currently needs to purchase 400 aircraft. Reuters had previously reported that Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 aircraft are on the sales list of these companies for Iran.