Iran, Russia Sign Agreement To Expand Aviation Ties

Iran and Russia have signed a new agreement to expand cooperation in the aviation sector, including increasing the number of passenger flights to 35 per week.

Spokesman for the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization Mir-Akbar Razavi announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Tehran and Moscow on Tuesday after a meeting between the head of the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization Mohammad Mohammadi-Bakhsh and a Russian deputy transport minister, whose name he did not mention. 

The airlines of the two countries are now allowed to operate unlimited cargo flights without any capacity restrictions within the framework of the above agreement, he added. 

The official said the two countries will sign another agreement on providing logistics services including maintenance and support for Russian planes as well as exporting parts and equipment manufactured in Iran to Russia. 

Earlier on Tuesday, July 26, an Iranian lawmaker said military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow has upset the political equations of the global order, confirming Russia’s request to buy Iranian drones. 

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warned twice in July that Moscow appears to be looking at buying Iranian drones and Russian officers even visited a drone base in Iran’s Kashan to review their options.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Mike Milley also confirmed that Russia is planning to obtain Iranian drones to strengthen its weakening position in battles.

An adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky told Iran International on July 25 that Russia and Iran are allies in the Ukraine war and it won’t be a surprise if Tehran supplies drones to Moscow.