A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Organisation in Tehran said Iran would continue to purchase Tupolev aircraft from Russia, in defiance of US sanctions.

“Despite US pressure on its aviation industry,” said Reza Ja'farzadeh. "Iran is determined to purchase the aircraft.

He added the regulator was still considering what finance arrangements Tehran would put in place to finance the acquisitions.

Iran has turned to Russia to overhaul its dilapidated civil fleet, after the US blocked a deal for it to buy second-hand Boeings from a Chinese leasing company this summer (MEED 13:7:07).