Press TV- Iran has received the first plane purchased from the European giant aircraft maker Airbus following a landmark nuclear deal reached between Tehran and the six world powers.
Iran Air ChairmanFarhad Parvareshtook delivery of the new A321 in Colomiers near the French city of Toulouseon Wednesday.
The 189-seat plane, painted in Iran Air's livery, is the first of 100 planes purchased undera December deal worth$18billion.
"Today marks a great day for this company as well as the relation between Iran and the European Union," Parvaresh said at a ceremony to take delivery of the plane.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="555"]
Iran Air Chairman Farhad Parvaresh (C) stands between Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier (L) and Airbus Group Chief Executive Tom Enders as Iran Air takes delivery of the first new Western jet following a landmark nuclear deal, Colomiers, France, January 11, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)[/caption]Parvaresh said that Iran Air hoped to receive "at least two more from Airbus" by the start of theIranian new year in March, and a total of six A320 aircraft in 2017.
Iran signed the deal with Airbus to purchase planes after the US removed a ban on selling Iran passenger aircraft and spare parts following the nuclear agreement signed between Tehran and the P5+1 groupof countries in July 2015.
Under the nuclear deal, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran undertook to put restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against the country.
Iran's flag carrier has also signed a similar deal with Boeing for 80 jetliners that will not be expected to arrive in the country until 2018. Iran Air is also expected to seal an order for 20 turboprops from Europe's ATR.
