While I can sympathize a little with the ordinary Iranians about the poor quality of air travel in Iran, I strongly support the UN and western sanctions on Iranian airline industry. A regime that hangs its citizens using cranes should not be allowed to own anything that is as technologically advanced as an aircraft. Of course, if the current Iranian regime cared about its citizens then it would acquire new airplanes through black markets the same way it acquires military and nuclear equipments and technology. And of course we know the truth behind their inaction: The Iranian regime does not care about the safety and well-being of its people.
That said, I'd like to draw your attention to this
bizarre photo that has appeared on aircraft spotters website airliners.net:
An ex-Russian passenger plane (Tu-154), previously owned by the state-run 'Iran AirTours' airlines is now converted by the 'Iranian Aircraft Manufacturing Industries' as a military testbed. Look closely at the tail section of the above aircraft and you'll be able to see a nose section (orange cone) of an F-5A fighter jet. The caption from the original photo says this airplane will be able to carry/test UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) in the future. This jetliner was located at the IRGC's ramp in Tehran's Mehrabad airport.
This is why tighter sanctions against the Iranian regime appears to be very necessary. The whole government has to be shut down and grounded. And until then, I'd like to advise my fellow Iranians to avoid air travel if possible.
The Iranian regime has to be overthrown before more innocent people end up dead in quakes, plane crashes, wars or future nuclear tragedies. Just sayin'!
Update: A close up photo via Combat Aircraft magazine's twitter feed:
here
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