Russia to Supply Sukhoi SuperJets to Iran despite Sanctions

Russia's Sukhoi Civil Aircraft declared that its plans to supply Iran with passenger planes will not change despite US President Donald Trump's decision to reinstate sanctions against Tehran.

"We will continue to cooperate with the Iranian airlines within the framework of interim agreements on the delivery of SuperJet 100 (SSJ100) passenger planes," President of Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Alexander Rubstov said.

He underlined that he planes that are to be delivered to Iran would be built without US-made components to avoid contract obstacles posed by the upcoming US sanctions.

"The Sukhoi Civil Aircraft will continue to work with Iranian airlines under the preliminary agreements signed at the Eurasia Air Show in April 2018. According to the agreements, the parties are studying in detail the possibility of supplying an updated version of SuperJets — the SSJ100R, which is implemented under the program of import substitution of the SSJ100 components," the company announced in a statement.

The Russian company recently signed memorandums of understanding on the delivery of 40 Sukhoi SSJ100R passenger planes to two Iranian airlines until 2022.

In December 2016, Airbus signed a deal to sell Iran 100 jetliners worth about $19 billion at list prices. It has delivered three planes so far.

In the same month, Boeing announced a contract with Iran for 80 aircraft valued at $16.6 billion. The company separately struck a deal with Iran’s Aseman Airlines to sell 737 MAX aircraft for $3 billion, with purchase rights for another 30 planes. No deliveries have been made yet.

Both could suffer a combined loss of above $39 billion once Trump’s anti-Iran sanctions regime is put into effect.

US President Donald Trump announced last Tuesday that the US would no longer remain part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and promised to re-impose the highest level of economic sanctions against Iran in response to Tehran's development of its nuclear program.

After Trump's declaration, President Rouhani said he has ordered his atomic chief to stay on alert to resume suspended nuclear activities, stressing that Tehran will stay in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with other signatories if only other parties to the deal ensure all its interests and economic merits.

While stressing that Trumps decision was a historical experience for Iran, Rouhani noted that the US president has a history of undermining international treaties. Rouhani also noted that Iran would remain in the nuclear deal without the US' presence for the next few weeks to see results of negotiations with Europeans.

Rouhani added that he has ordered the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) to be prepared for resuming nuclear enrichment at the industrial level.

"I have ordered AEOI to go ahead with adequate preparations to resume enrichment at the industrial level without any limit," he said.

He further added that from now on everything depends on Iran's national interests.

"Trump's decision was the beginning of a psychological war against Iran, our heroic people will not be affected by this psychological attack," said Rouhani.

Rouhani also noted that from now on the JCPOA is between Iran and the five remaining countries, but stressed that Iran would stay under the deal if all its interests are met.

He further noted that the Iranian Foreign Ministry would be negotiating with European countries, Russia, and China in the coming weeks.

Also, Zarif responded to Trump's move, referring to it as "unlawful", while adding that the outcome of further diplomatic efforts will determine Iran's response.

In response to US persistent violations and unlawful withdrawal from the nuclear deal, as instructed by President Rouhani, I'll spearhead a diplomatic effort to examine whether remaining JCPOA participants can ensure its full benefits for Iran. Outcome will determine our response.

"In response to US persistent violations & unlawful withdrawal from the nuclear deal, as instructed by President Rouhani, I'll spearhead a diplomatic effort to examine whether remaining JCPOA participants can ensure its full benefits for Iran. Outcome will determine our response," he tweeted.

The European Union, France, Britain and Germany have expressed regret over Trump's decision about the deal.

Iran has on numerous occasions asserted that its nuclear program is merely peaceful and not meant to make nukes.

Source: http://en.farsnews.com/