‘We reviewed the potential market of Iranian airlines, according to various estimates, we can talk about 100 aircraft,’ Masalov said.
According to him, ‘We have set up a working group, because we are talking about wider contracts, not only for the supplies of aircraft, but the intention to localize production of components.’
Masalov also noted, ‘Due to the lifting of sanctions, there are no formal restrictions on supplies, but since a number of components for aircraft are American-made, we must receive permission.’
Speaking about other aircraft manufacturers contacts with Tehran, Masalov said, ‘For example, Airbus occupies a different segment.’
At the same time, he noted, ‘There are a lot of regional companies a lot, so the UAC hopes to secure a footing’ in the Iranian market.
A total of 64 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft are currently in service, according to Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCA) data.
The largest aircraft operators are Aeroflot (26 airplanes), Mexico’s Interjet (19) and Gazpromavia (10 jets of the long-range series).
The SSJ-100 aircraft are produced in two versions: 75-seat and 95-seat jets (the number of seats may vary depending on the passenger cabin configuration).
Russia can supply 100 Sukhoi superjet to Iran — manufacturer
Iran voices disinterest in oil majors’ deal
Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh told reporters in capital Tehran that he was not aware about the details of what his peers from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Russia and Qatar had agreed on in an emergency meeting in Doha on Tuesday.
Zangeneh, nevertheless, emphasized that any move by the world’s biggest oil players to push the market toward stability means nothing unless it is fully endorsed by all producers.
“According to what has appeared in the media about which I am not still fully informed, they (Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Russia and Qatar) have discussed about fixing a production ceiling,” he told reports.
The Saudi and Russian oil ministers, along with their Venezuelan and Qatari counterparts, “agreed to freeze the production at (the) January level provided that other major producers follow suit”, Reuters quoted Qatar’s Energy Minister Mohammed bin Saleh al-Sada as saying on Tuesday.
Oil prices have tumbled about 70 percent since June 2014, hit by oversupply, sluggish demand and concerns over the global economic outlook.
Zangeneh emphasized that a deal to fix a production ceiling for the world’s biggest producers needs to be thoroughly studied and discussed. “It should be specified what they (the producers that gathered in Doha) really mean by it,” the local media quoted the Iranian minister as saying.
He further added that he will host his Venezuelan and Iraqi counterparts on Wednesday for a tripartite meeting to discuss oil. Other reports suggested that the oil minister of Qatar may also join his Venezuelan and Iraqi peers in their trip to Tehran.
“What is important [to consider] is that firstly the oil market is currently oversupplied and secondly Iran will not relinquish over its market share,” Zangeneh said.
Iran on Sunday showed a strong return to the market by announcing that it had increased its crude production by 400,000 barrels per day.
It also announced on the same day that it had shipped four million barrels of oil to Europe – a move that marked the first shipment of oil by the country after signing a nuclear deal with the P5+1 that ended multiple years of sanctions on the Iranian oil industry.
Based on a draconian US-engineered regime of sanctions that were made ineffective when the nuclear deal with the P5+1 was implemented last month, foreign investors had been banned from making investments in Iran’s oil industry. Also, clients had been barred from purchasing oil from Iran above around 1 million barrels per day.
Iran’s Deputy FM Urges Enhanced Ties with Japan
In a meeting with Katsuyuki Kawai, a senior adviser to the Japanese premier, Araqchi underlined the need for enhanced ties between Tehran and Tokyo after the implementation of a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers (known as the JCPOA) , which took effect in mid-January.
The Iranian official further called on Japan’s companies to play a more active role in the Iranian market after the termination of anti-Iran sanctions.
Elsewhere, Araqchi welcomed a prospective visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Tehran, and appreciated Tokyo’s cooperation in the course of nuclear negotiations between Iran and world powers that led to the finalization of the JCPOA.
He also referred to the experience of JCPOA implementation, which was achieved through a win-win approach, as an achievement for the region and the international community, and a successful model for resolution of regional and even global problems.
Kawai, for his part, said his visit to Tehran is aimed at finding ways to develop Tehran-Tokyo cooperation after the JCPOA implementation and before the Japanese PM’s trip to Iran.
The two sides in this meeting also conferred on the expansion of mutual cooperation in such fields as energy, transport, and nuclear energy.
During his Iran visit, the Japanese adviser has held several meetings with Iranian officials including the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Governor Valiollah Seif and Culture Minister Ali Jannati.
In his meeting with CBI chief, Kawai highlighted Japanese banks’ enthusiasm for stronger presence in Iran, and demanded that Tokyo receive the necessary information from Iranian banks that are willing to promote cooperation with Japanese ones.
For his part, Seif hailed Japan as Iran’s “big economic partner in East Asia”, saying the ground is set for the expansion of trade ties between the two countries.
Iran, Russia review mutual, regional and int’l developments
The two officials called for expansion of cooperation in all fields including the defense and military areas which are essential to help restore peace, stability and security of the region.
Expansion of cooperation at regional and international level is of prime importance in international campaign against terrorism and Takfiri groups, Dehqan said.
Iranian defense minister is to confer with Russian president and his counterpart on issue of mutual interests and regional developments in the next few hours.
Iranian Minister of Defense Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan heading a high ranking delegation arrived in Moscow on Monday.
Shamkhani: Iranian regional power unchallengeable
Shamkhani made the remarks in the Conference on ‘World on its historical path and significant role of the Islamic Republic of Iran in geometry of power in the world’.
Firm determination and creativity are two main criteria required for restoring globe security, he said.
In the past, the role of Iran in regional developments were under the shadow of the then superpowers but now the country has turned to be the first regional power with major impacts on global equations and stability and security of the region, Shamkhani said.
Iran should forcefully defend its status in the region and share its significant role to this end, he said.
In the new world order, the outdated hegemony of the western powers is diminishing, he said.
He expressed deep concern about deterioration of humanitarian crises in Syria, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan, saying that the current regional crises have no military solution requiring the wise understanding of the people in the region.
Iran is not to push others from the scene but seeks to prepare grounds for the nations to play their significant role in restoring stability and security as vital requirement to achieve economic development, he said.
Sunni cleric urges massive turnout in upcoming elections
Mamusta Marouf Khaledi said that enthusiastic participation of people in the elections to send to most qualified candidates to the parliament will make yet another epic move in the history of the Islamic Republic.
He said that the enemies of the Islamic Revolution are exploiting all tools to sow discard among different sections of the Iranian nation, adding that a strong turnout in the elections will blow a fierce blow to the hegemonic powers.
Many Iranian senior officials have already urged the nation to manifest a strong turnout for the upcoming elections.
Elections for the 10th term of the Parliament as well as the 5th term of the Assembly of Experts will take place simultaneously on February 26.
Last month, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei cited the democratic aspect of the elections, saying that election is a blessing to guarantee people’s rights.
The screening body should welcome eligible persons and any lenience to ineligible candidates is regarded as violation of public rights, the Supreme Leader said.
The procedure in conduct of elections should be fully observed and all officials are duty bound to safeguard the public trust, the Supreme leader added.
He advised the political parties to prepare their lists and manage to nominate qualified candidates.
Iran deal win-win for all parties: Veteran Cypriot diplomat
Papadopoulos, who is currently on a trip to Iran, cites his love for the nation and the historic attraction of the Persian culture for Greeks — which they “respect” and “feel close to” — as the main reasons for accepting the Iranian government’s invitation for a visit.
The Cypriot diplomat, who is also an academic expert on international law, describes the recent nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, which went into effect last month, as a “win-win situation,” arguing that the deal would have been non-existent if it had not fulfilled the demands of both sides.
“I believe this deal is really a landmark in history” and will benefit both sides, he says.
He further explains that the deal blocks any attempt to tarnish Iran’s image and “demonize” it and encourages foreign investment in the country and boosts its oil sales.
“Economically strong, Iran will also be politically strong,” he adds. “We know very well that Iran is one of the major players in the region of the Middle East.”
The deal would also strengthen Iran’s standing in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, which are now faced with the danger of Takfiri terrorism, he adds.
The “amelioration” of ties with Arab countries is another advantage that Papadopoulos thinks the deal would ensue for Iran.
Referring to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s letters to the youths in West, the diplomat says that the nuclear deal would also boost Iran’s position in the face of Takfiri terror groups such as Daesh (ISIL), proving the Ayatollah Khamenei’s point that such groups do not represent true Islam.
The West would also sow economic benefits from the deal by accessing Iranian oil industry and products at a lower cost, while enjoying “a bigger part of the cake,” he says.
On Iran-Cyprus relations, Papadopoulos points to Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides’s visit to Tehran in January, and trips by various Iranian delegates to the European country as a sign that Iran and Cyprus can work to promote their economic ties to their mutual benefit.
Tehran to Host Trilateral Oil Meeting Tomorrow: Official
“Tomorrow, a meeting between Venezuela, Iraq and Iran will be held in Tehran,” Seyed Mohsen Qamsari, the NIOC’s deputy managing director for international affairs, told Sputnik on Tuesday.
The meeting comes after Iranian First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri announced earlier that the country’s oil exports, which currently stand at 1.3 million barrels per day, will be increased to 2 million bpd within a few months.
Since the collapse in oil prices in the first half of January, officials from the OPEC member states and non-OPEC countries have been mulling a meeting to address the slump in oil prices, which has caused significant financial problems for some nations.
A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Feb 16
Abrar:
- Investigations into other culprits in Babak Zanjani case begin
- Iraqi army preparing to retake Fallujah
- US senator threatens to summon marine to Senate
- Iran offers airport visas to arriving tourists from all countries except 9
- Turkey considering sending troops into Syria: Defense Minister
- UEFA’s Sec. Gen. hails Iran Football Academy
- Turkey’s Erdogan heading to Azerbaijan on Thursday
Arman-e Emrouz:
- Ayatollah Rafsanjani: Youth will decide the elections
- Is Seyyed Hassan isolated?
An analysis of Seyyed Hassan Khomeini’s disqualification from contending the upcoming Assembly of Experts elections. Hassan is the grandson of Imam Khomeini, the leader of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
- All eyes on THE list of reformist candidates
- Time for interrogating Babak’s connections
Babak Zanjani is a multibillionaire who stands accused of corruption and is being tried. Investigations are underway into a number of Ahmadinejad-era ministers linked with the Zanjani charges.
Ebtekar:
- The SWIFT doubters!
The Central Bank of Iran has been connected to the international digital money transfer system (SWIFT).
- Rouhani: Boost public awareness about necessity of Assembly of Experts
President Rouhani said in a televised interview that awareness must be raised among the general public about the need for the Assembly of Experts.
- Zarif: Deploying troops to Syria is a bluff by Saudis
- Iran doors open to tourists
Iran now welcomes tourists from 180 countries without the need for a visa. This piece reports on how Iran has eased tourist regulations, now that the international sanctions have been lifted in the wake of the nuclear agreement.
Asrar:
- Reformist figure: We will beat our rivals at the ballot box
- Banks to reduce interest rates by Feb 19
- Final list of approved Parliamentary hopefuls released
- Vice President: The administration has taken serious steps to protect the environment
- Prosecutor starts probe into 3 ex-ministers
- Turkish troops trespass on Syrian territory
Ettela’at:
- Iran offers new tax incentives to tourism industry
- Syrian army advances into Raqqa
- Iran-EU to embark on full co-operation: Iranian FM
- Prosecutor: Verdicts of 17k cases not carried out in Tehran
- Banks agree to reduce interest rates
- Vice president blasts gov’t critics
Afkar:
- Iran oil discount not real, says official
- ISIS stronghold under siege from Syrian army
Emtiaz:
- Stadiums offered to Perspolis and Esteghlal football teams
- Iran rail transit volume to hit 4mt by late March
- Police warn against active pyramid schemes
Amin:
- Spokesman: Iran internal affairs no business of foreigners
- Many Iranians spend their leisure time smoking water pipes, which kill 1 Iranian every 5 seconds.
Payam Zaman:
- Minister calls for nationally produced economic prosperity through removing red tape
- Gov’t spokesman: Development needs stability, security
- Iran needs 160 passenger planes
- 30,183 HIV carriers in Iran
- Iran Futsal team 6th in the world, 1st in Asia
Jamejam:
- Fruit smuggling in Iran [at the turn of the year]
- Cyberspace has no conflict with religion: expert cleric
- Lonely wolf captured in subway tunnel
Jomhouri Islami:
- First ‘Silk Road’ train arrives in Tehran
Javan:
- Dirty hands behind special lists
A report about who is really behind the lists of parliamentary candidates for the upcoming elections.
Hosban:
- Parliament Speaker: Attracting foreign investments tops Iran’s priorities in the post-sanctions era
- Iran hopes Japan boosts oil imports to pre-sanctions levels
Hemayat:
- Claimants for Syrian “human rights” disgraced
A huge cargo of US arms en route to Syrian rebels has been discovered.
- No digital drugs in Iran: Police
- 12 CIA bases for gathering data on Iran
Resalat:
- S-300 missile system being delivered to Iran: FM Spokesman
- 6 Palestinians killed in a single day
- Iranians remain the forerunners of the Islamic Awakening: Leader’s aide
Kaenat:
- Saudi Arabia in economic whirlpool
Horrific budget deficit in Saudi Arabia
- Tehran, Milan ink co-operation agreement
Mayors of the two cities signed an agreement for all-out co-operation.
Kayhan:
- Amnesty: Western powers are the main cause of wars and instability in the world
- Gov’t coup de grace to oilseed production
The government has allowed unlimited imports of agricultural products to the country.
- Analysis: US will intensify sanctions after Iranian elections
- The photo that went viral in global media: Official Saudi-Israeli link
Iran’s VP Urges Inseparable Links with World Economy
“The Islamic Republic of Iran should gain its real position in the world’s economy chain,” Jahangiri said Monday at an economic meeting in Tehran.
“Iran’s economy should be linked with the world’s economy in such a way that cutting ties with Iran would become impossible and costly for other countries,” he added.
Since the Western sanctions against Iran were terminated on January 16 under a lasting nuclear deal with the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany), Iran has engaged in trade talks with many countries and turned into a dramatic destination for investment.
Following the coming into force of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear agreement, Iran has signed several billion-dollar business deals with European countries and others.
