SANCTIONS

The Most Powerful country

Mahmoud and company just clarified Iran as the most powerful country on planet. I am just wondering, if Iran is so powerful. Why they don't build their own Plane.
Other powerful countries have no problem building Planes, Cars, trians, and etc before building atomic Bombs.
Please tell me one thing that Iran has built in last 30 years...
Embargo is against Iran becuase they are after building Bomb.
If the country puts her efforts on other things, there won't be any embargo against her.
We have brought this to ourselves. Stop for second and compare Iran to South Korea, China, India. We were ahead of them back in 1970. Now, we are so far back, it is not even funny. We have to kiss their rear ends to provide us used parts for our planes.
This is the cost of Nuclear activities. The cost is so much, it is effecting people as well as Mullahs.

Stop blaming others, It is time to accept the fact. We are a backward country.
Once we accept, we have problems. We can start to work on solutions.
One Solution will be not to build more bomb. It is working on building country same way Japan, Korea, China, Germany, and others built their countries after WW.

XerXes, I’m glad you’re

XerXes, I’m glad you’re showing you and like-minded people’s true character by calling me a “Tumor” and “Human Waste”. That being said, as an Iranian, I hate the IRI because of what it has done to my country, and as a citizen of the world, I hate the IRI more than I hate anyone else because of it initiating, supporting and inspiring a clash of civilization which has led the world in such a state of danger like never seen before, and by far, has become the greatest threat to world peace and civilization as we know it. See what they did to Iran taking it back some 1400 years (Applying “pure” Islamic laws such as stoning is just one example of that ultra regressive move), well, if their ideology prevails (and with the help of people like you, they’re on their way), the whole world will go back 1400 years. And you asked” What does IR have to do with the Iranian citizens who want to go from Tehran to Shirz?”, Not sure if you knew or been following the news for the last 30 years, but those Iranians live under the brutal, illegal and barbaric rule of the IRI. Once (If) this regime is gone, we will not have problems such this. Doesn’t the IRI say we have defeated the U.S and “Zionists” and are self sufficient in all fields, then why don’t they develop their own airplane? Don’t they say they develop fighters, so why can’t they develop civilian aircraft? See my point, those are nothing but Bullcrap. People like you claim IRI represents us and talks on our behalf, so how do you expect the world to react when hears people like you? When Sheereen Ebadi gives a speech on our behalf and knowing that she lives under one of, if not the, most brutal regimes in the world today, but her speech is nothing but U.S bashing and says very very little, if anything at all, about the IRI, which shows that some of us hate the U.S more than we love our own country, the world will lose faith in us and war becomes more of a reality. They will have hard time differentiating between us and the regime. We are trying to let the world know we despise the IRI just as much as everyone else does and a thousand times more because we are Iranians, and we are fighting the IRI in any way we can, including writing essays like this to enlighten the people of the world and expose the barbaric regime. The IRI must go, the world knows it, and more importantly, we as Iranians know it, (At least majority of us, you’re obviously not part of that majority). Now we can either do it ourselves, or someone else will do it for us. When we do it ourselves, we will be more cautious for innocent lives not to be lost, when someone else does it, they will be less cautious. If you care about Iranian lives, fight this regime that has done everything to devalue Iranian life. Obviously you don’t.

Abarmard............

I've never said I like Israel. I don't how you drew that conclusion.

It's apparently common practice that if anything negative is said against the IRI, that automatically translates into support for Israel. People may think whatever they want, but the correlation between the two is utter nonsense.

Let Israel worry about Israel. Let the Arabs worry about Israel. They obviously cannot live without each other, as much as they can't stand living with each other.

Yes we are human beings and should hold our standards high. As Iranians, we should hold our standards even higher. After all, we have played such a significant role in the development of this insanity we call a civilization.

Despite your assertions, I am being fair. We are too busy looking in the neighbor's window to see how they live so we can criticize it, while there's a pile of trash up to the ceiling in our own living room that we are ignoring. We are in no position to criticize anybody for their conduct, no matter how objectionable it is (and I agree that it is very objectionable), when our own is beyond shameful.

Kaveh Nouraee I disagree with you

I believe there is confusion here. You may like Israel for whatever reason, but it's unfair to compare anything from Iran, including this regime to the Israeli regime. I mean this in a most respectable way that if you would like I can offer you to read some books that may give you the truth you can't see or hear in the United States and many western nations. Having said that, I am not making any excuses about the Islamic Republic, but one must be fair. After all, we are human beings and should keep our standards high. Disagreements with IR shouldn't translate to agreement to other inhumane regimes.

To all those IRI lovers in disguise

Each year 22,000 Iranians die in road accidents. Building roads in not under any sanctions in Iran. If these guys care for human lives, they could make better roads so that we wouldn't be number one in road accident fatalities.
Stop the hypocracy, it is not working anymore.

Aaahhhh...the blindness of some people

Where am I making an excuse?

The sanctions exist because of the mollahs who act as if they are not bound by rules. Getting along in this world requires a level of "give and take". Prior to 1979, there was perhaps a little excessive giving on Iran's part. Now, it's a case of excessvive taking as the IRI is simply unwilling to be straight with the rest of the world. Their tired bullshit rhetoric is writing checks that they simply cannot cash.

We all know the sanctions have done nothing. But your argument that I'm making excuses is total kos-e-sher. The Israelis have been on the IRI payroll since 1979.

As far as ruthlessness, check your data. The mollahs have slaughtered more Iranians in the 30 years they have occupied Iran than that "tribe" you hate so much have done to Arabs in 60.

Kaveh Nouraee: aah the power of Zionists

Kaveh Nouraee that's funny. The most ruthless tribe in modern human history and you want to make excuse for them? Why do you think we have sanctions at the first place? They kick you then give you a tissue to wipe the mud off. boro baba haalet khoshe

Love Iran Air

Good to see the Iran Air Family is strong.

XerXes....

Just so you know, those Zionists that you and the mollahs hate so much are the only reason Iran received any spare airplane parts.

They also were the ones who supplied the mollahs with arms and ammunition to use to defend against Iraq for 8 years. If they hadn't, Iran would have been part of the Arab League by now.

But maybe that's what some of you actually want.

Farhad Kashani what can I say

As much as I dislike IR, still Iran is my country...As much as I dislike IR I hate Zionists more. And US is sucking Zionists you know what. So those of us that criticize are not a waste of human beings, such as yourself, who comes here and that's it...the hell with the rest.
What does IR have to do with the Iranian citizens who want to go from Tehran to Shirz?
Free trade and competition my behind, It's all Israel's fault, the cancer. Farhad Kashani go back to Israel.
May we all get rid of this Zionist tumor. May God show the way to the Americans.

Dear Mr. Atrvash, As you

Dear Mr. Atrvash,

As you speak as a former head of Iran Air all what you are saying in your article is professional and honorable as all the efforts and the desire to lift at least this part of the U.S. imposed economic sanctions against Iran.
I am also using the domestic airlines system in Iran at certain occasions and fly Iran Air, Iran Airtours or Aseman Airlines. Since I am also a pilot and aviation enthusiast working in the aviation industry I am always interested to fly older airplanes as TU-152M or old B-727-200. My wish is even to fly in one of the last B-707 in operation. Of course I am sometimes worried about the safety of the airplanes I board, but the prayer before each flight helps me to enjoy it rather than to be afraid,
Please allow me few comments to your article:
1. Sanctions imposed to a country normally don’t work well. There are many ways to bypass them, and what remains is the stupid propaganda to show the anger and helplessness against another political system.
2. Sanctions are meant to harm a country politically and socially. In this case the Iranian politicians keep the fleet flying and the people become potential victims. This alone is part of the U.S. intentions and represents their “second ideal case”. Yet, they would have the most satisfaction when the people of Iran could not travel anymore by air at all and the fleet would have to be totally grounded. However, this most “ideal case” will never happen.
3. What is worse is this: The U.S. forces third countries to impose the same sanctions. Those countries (and their industries) are put in a situation to be unable to express their own independent political and economical conclusions. For instance Airbus is not allowed to sell airplanes to Iran, or European airlines are not permitted to lease airplanes to Iranian carriers. Iranian airlines desperately looking for solutions have leased few airplanes from other countries where this U.S. pressure does not work so well, e.g. Morocco, Tunesia or Turkey. I have even seen once a “neutralized” German registered airplane in service on an Iranian domestic route. How honorable! The Russians are both providing and operating Tupolev airplanes to Iranian carriers for decades, even with pilots. The Russian airliners are quite robust and their safety records are impressive.
4. About safety standards of aircraft used by Iranian carriers flying international routes: The aviation administration in each destination country is checking and reviewing the quality standards of the aircraft used. They perform ground checks on the aircraft, including checks on airworthyness and paperwork associated with the operation of the aircraft. These authorities can ground an aircraft or ban the airline to operate to this country. Also in Europe a list of banned airlines exists. Iran Air is not among them at this time, so it appears that the standards are being met.

Iranians do a good job in keeping their fleet flying. Accidents (although relatively rare) have mostly occurred due to human errors and not directly due to technical failures of the aircraft.

We cannot expect the U.S. to lift the sanctions soon unless there is a political change there. However, what should be addressed and fought much more vigorously is the fact that other countries – especially liberal countries in Europe - allow themselves to be the victims of the political tactics of the U.S.A. and become their puppet on the string. It is not the content of my comments to discuss which Middle Eastern regime is the mastermind of this dirty game. In this sense Iran expresses a correct opinion.

Its simply amazing. These

Its simply amazing. These guys who have a unique blind hatred for the U.S are making the argument that the U.S should shut up and take whatever the IRI regime does and say and should not react to them. Its amazing that they do not fault the regime for the constant 24/7 bashing, trashing, intimidating and provocation of the U.S and West, but they blame the U.S for sanctions! What kind of logic is that? Like Parthian said, do not include Iranian people in this. One minute you guys say U.S hates Islam and Iran and you support and at least, justify and rationale IRI actions against it, and the next minute you want the U.S to sell aircraft parts to Iran? The U.S, just like any country in the world, has the right to trade with whomever they want, that is an internal matter. Would IRI sell parts to its enemies (Which by the way constitutes most of the world)? Would any country have free trade with its sworn enemies? Contrary to your ridiculous claims, you guys have absolutely no regard for Iranian lives; if you truly did, you would not justify the actions of the most inhumane regime Iran has seen, at least since the Genghis khan tragedy. A regime that has done remarkably in one area only: devaluing Iranian live. Iranian lives means absolutely nothing to these war mongering fascists. How many times should Khamenei and his regime say that we are a “country of Shahadat (Martyrdom)” for you guys to finally stop realizing the reality!? Doesn’t 30 years of war, execution, imprisonment, devastation, isolation, and exile ….have make you guys realize anything at all?? I guess maybe you need another 30 years! Well, we say “enough”! If you really care about Iranian lives, overthrow the regime or at least ask it to stop initiating and inspiring a clash of civilization so we can finally, after 30 years, live in peace with the world.

safety, profit margins

Iranian airlines having to lease aircraft and operate less profitably is not the problem of the US, and the US is not obligated in any way to help relieve that pressure on Iranian airlines.

This is just one of the many many costs our government chooses for our people to incur by pursuing their policy. Look at all the black market prices they have had to pay for the military spares during the war that they insisted we should fight on, or the subsidies they pay to import gasoline or other goods, or the way below market oil prices they have accepted to get by long term sellout contracts with countries like China, who on one hand are supposed to be Iran's ally but on the other hand has very close relations with the US and pursues its own interest.

The argument was made that US sanctions on civilian aircraft should be lifted on grounds of safety and innocent lives being put at risk. One based on allowing Iranian airlines (which are mostly government or mullah owned) to make more profit makes even a weaker case.

Go HOMA

The best airline food in the world!

A couple of follow-up points on Airbus vs. Boeing...

1) Airbus planes are also subject to American embargo because they use American parts.

2) Mahan leases Airbus planes from other airlines and leasing companies (very expensive and cuts deeply into the profit margins). Some of Iran Air's A600's I believe are leased as well.

3) Veteran airline pilots and crew do NOT consider Airbus planes to be at the same level as Boeing products. It is a known fact in airline industry that Boeing jets are better. Iran Air pilots also prefer Boeing.  I was told by an Iran Air flight engineer once (he was dead heading back to Tehran from Amsterdam and was sitting next to me) that even politically appointed managers and executives in Iran Air prefer Boeing jets and would buy them if they could!

Mahan's avg fleet age is 21 years

they own airbus aircrafts as youngs as 11 years old... How have they obtained it?

Iran Air should then be grounded and private industry (probably owned by mullahs) just take over... at least the people would be a little safer.

You are dead on

Kaveh, you have said it very well. As long as mullahs lead Iran and refuse to enter the 21st century, we Iranian people will be paying a heavy price one way or another.

Oh Iranians! Let's never forget the root cause of our problems.

Deev.....

Airbus is not as viable an alternative.

At least 30% of their suppliers and subcontractors are American, and those contracts could be jeopardized.

As things are right now, the only thing that can be done is to purchase or sub-lease second-hand equipment from non-affected entitities, which is very difficult and extremely expensive.

Iran needs updated equipment. Everyone knows that. All the IRI has to do is be straight with the rest of the world and you will see economic growth that is mind-boggling. But the mollahs are still stuck in the 7th century, and as long as they stay there, the world will continue to pass by.

there's always airbus

there's always airbus

Sanctions are indeed inhumane

Mr. Abarmard, we're in full agreement on that point. These and most other sanctions have been a complete failure in their efforts to achieve the desired results. But at the same time, there should be equal agreement that If the IRI were truly serious about air safety, they could have resolved this issue many years ago.

However, as long as these two countries (U.S. & IRI), adversaries with huge egos and no brains as their common thread, continue this stare-down contest with each other, each side waiting for the other to blink first, lives will continue to be endangered.

If the IRI were truly honorable, they could decide that they will put an end to their games and deal with the rest of the world in a straightforward and above-board manner. They could gain the geopolitical upper hand virtually immediately, which would force the U.S. to cease sanctions. The IRI would still "save face", which is apparently more important to them than serving the people. They can still brag about how they are stronger and more powerful and better than the Yoonited Esstates.

Mehdi and Mahmoudg: Russian planes, quite simply, are junk. They make Paykans look like Toyotas. Russian planes are marginal in quality and reliability, as they rely on old Soviet technology that was obtained by espionage during the Cold War. Even the Russians don't like them. 

Iran was a loyal Boeing customer, and there is no doubt that Boeing would be happy to have the business again. As far as your claims that Boeing's intentions are less than honorable, remember that they are relying heavily on government contracts to survive right now. Airbus manufactures an excellent product and has created tremendous competition in the civilian market. This is the price Boeing must pay in order to remain viable.

If the IRI were to make the first move towards transparency, and more importantly, if they were to be sincere about it and put an end to this farce once and for all, you will see Saudi Arabia become Saudi A-Whobia?

I understand, BUT...

I understand where you are coming from, and also recognize the tremendous dedication and professionalism of Iran Air and their staff, this was one good thing in our country mullahs couldn't kill. BUT...

The USA is not obligated to sell its technology to anybody. If Iranian government cared for its people and their well being, they can easily stop pursuing the official of policy of "Death to America", especially if they have a need for American planes and spare parts.

Furthermore, a large portion of Iran's military transport/tanker fleet is Boeing, and can directly use any parts obtained for its civilian fleet. You cannot ignore this.

And also, I must question really how much one can blame these sanctions- Why does "Mahan Air" (I won't tell you who it belongs to..) seem to have no trouble obtaining and operating Airbuses, and yes- Boeing 747's on the international market?

And finally, it is not fair to blame air incidents in Iran on "unsophisticated" Russian planes. The Tupolev's are loud and not as comfortable or as efficient, but if you look at the air incidents, very few (if any) were due to any mechanical failure. They were mostly due to faulty operation, such as midair collisions due to bad air traffic control. Or running into the side of a mountain during bad weather, during which the plane should have been grounded or ATC should have guided the aircraft better or diverted it.

So it takes more than just buying planes to make an air transport system. It takes management and leadership. Iran Air was built by legendary people like Khademi and others. Today, the head of Iran's CAO publicly "prays that nothing happens". Add 2 and 2 and you get the picture.

US embargo on civilian aircraft and parts is immoral & illegal!

It's not only an outrage because of its consequences, it is also illegal and bad business! Iran Air bought those planes with the promise of future support and maintenance. How is it justified that US companies can sell the product and discontinue selling parts like this!

Other airlines should take notice!

well done

Well done Abbas jaan,even thought I read this back in our web site,I still admire you to put this up,Iam 100% agree with you that Aviation in Iran like most other things went back at least 20 years,those Airplanes which still flying are belong to me and you, who we took care of them in order to give the Iranian best service in world,not only those planes ,but our best trained employee,who were among the best in industries ,scattered all over the world, they putting the well earned experience to foreign Airliners.
Iam not amazed what the Mullah have done to our country,may god save Iran.

Thanks for bringing this to attention..

This is an extremely important and urgent issue for Iranian people. Innocent people's life is at major risk everyday in Iran because of this inhumane sanction on spare parts for Iran's aviation.

This reckless act must stop. With all the petition forms going around perhaps its high time we address this issue too.

Thanks again!

Parthian, learn about international laws

First of all, you know nothing about international laws and obligations. If you did, you would not say things like, "why the US have to be obligated..." Read and learn:

According to the international aviation agreements that the US has signed, it is obligated to help Iran with the planes that it sold to Iran. As usual, the US - the international priah that it is - has decided to selectively ignore its international obligations.

The US is also a member of World Trade Organization, as are European countries that build the Airbus. As a member of the WTO, the US should not prevent another Member State from selling a purely civilian item to a nation, but the US is violating this by preventing the Europeans to sell Iran the Airbus, simply because its engines are US-built.

This is a purely civilian matter. It has nothing to do with military issues. No one expects the US to sell the IRI weapons, but civilian aviation is a completely different issue.

The same US shoot down Iran's Airbus in 1988, killing 290 innocent people, despite the fact that the plane was clearly a civilian airliner. The same US paid $62 million to the families of those 290 people, but forced Libya to pay $1.7 billion to the families of the Pan Am flight that was shoot down the same year. Go figure who cares about people's lives.

Secondly, you seem to think that just because someone works in the IRI system, he/she does not care about people's lives. That is so wrong. You also seem to think that just because someone reminds people of how the US repeatedly ignores its international obligations, that person should be either an IRI sympathizer or a "leftist" (what is wrong with being a leftist, if it means opposing the criminal policies of the US, and in particular those of Bush?).

Third, the way you have transformed your opposition to the IRI (which can be completely justified) to opposition to anything that is said in support of Iranian people is astonishing.

Fourth, a true patriot is capable of differentiating between the national interests of his/her country - which by definition are independent of the type of political system that runs the country - from those of political groups. But, you simply do not seem to be able to do that. Just because you call yourself "Parthian" does not make you a patriot. First become one, and then lecture people.

not a problem

life in islamic paradise has no value. we have have been hearing for about thirthy years now that there is nothing more sweeter than martydom. so if planes do crash we simply get more shahid and they all go to heaven and all, so case closed.

Ross Aimer

I don't know where you got the idea Boeing was hurting, but for your information:

Before Bush's presidency Boeing had laid off tens of thousands of employees and was about to lay off between twenty and thirty thousand more. After Bush became president, not only Boeing did not fire any employees, it has not stopped hiring since the first fighters flew over Afghanistan. You may consider landing a job with the company.

One more reason for being self sufficient

Buy planes from the US and become slaves to the policies of that country. That is the logic some commentators here are implying.

I too agree that the US is in its right to excercise its economic power -- whatever gooz it is worth these days :).

And this is also a lesson for those who criticize Iran for wanting to enrich uranium domesticly instead of buying it "cheaper" from other countries such as Russia. Once you enter that road you make your country's energy future dependent on the will of the seller nation.

Iran is now virtually self sufficient in food production through correct agricultural methods and gene modification methods. And in good time too with global food shortages. Let us now apply the same vigour to other areas.

Let's show them where they can stuff their economic power.

Disturbing bee's hive.

Abass, Great artical.You have "Disturbed bee's hive" now sit back and enjoy the feed back !!!

It is about time..

That Islamist, eutopia-lovers, peace loving leftist, and the rest of the IR apologist take responsibility for their actions, and rhetoric. Don't try to appeal to our emotions, don't try to bring Iranian people into this. People who execute teenagers don't give a damn if the rest of the people are flying safe planes.

Why should the U.S have to be obligated to trade with any country? Can you tell me this? Why is the U.S obliged to allow its private companies to deal and trade with any country in the world? Why do the Americans not have the right to exercise their economic power to protect their interest?

That wet dreamer Abarmard who seem to be absolutely clueless about the real world wants to impose its view on the U.S, in essence forcing the U.S to trade and have economic relationship with Iran! Why should that be if U.S does not want to do that?

By the way, for many of you Islamist morons who just found out what running water is, and just got off your donkeys, I have news for you! There are many common parts in civilian planes that are also have military application, i.e inertial gravitational systems, and other guiding systems. These parts can be used in Boeing planes, or taken off, and with little reverse engineering be used in McDonald Douglas planes such as the F-series. This is the main reason why U.S does not want the most updated planes to be shipped to IR. And you know what, ALL THE FU**KING POWER TO THEM.

We have Mehdi, the punk from 9th century who will prevent the planes from crashing, he is flying on a broom...and Good luck terrorists...