The national carrier will receive five Tupolev Tu-204-100s, with speculation that another 30 aircraft could follow, according to a government spokesman.

The Russian leasing group, Ilyushin Finance, will supply the medium-haul aircraft, which will be delivered in 2009.

Iran has been seeking new aircraft for some time but has been hampered by US sanctions. An intended deal earlier this year to buy second-hand Airbus and Boeing planes fell through after intervention from the US State Department (MEED 15:6:2007).