New Iran Air A321 arrival at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran

(click photos to expand)

On final approach: Flight IR700, Iran Air's new A321 reg. EP-IFA arrives at Mehrabad Airport (THR / OIII) in Tehran on 12JAN2017 at 14:46 hrs. local time.

Delivery route from Airbus to Iran: XFW-TLS-THR.

Enthusiastic water salute rendered for arriving EP-IFA

The delivery is the first from a firm order placed by Iran Air in December 2016 for 100 Airbus aircraft (46 single aisle and 54 wide-body jets) to renew and expand its fleet. [source: Airbus]

With sanctions withdrawn, EP-IFA represents the first newly manufactured aircraft delivered to Iran Air in thirty-seven years.

Iran Air A321-211(WL) reg. EP-IFA (msn 7418)

Note in background: IRIAF Boeing (Elicotteri Meridionali) CH-47C Chinook (219).

Members of the press assembled for arrival of EP-IFA

Note in background: IRIG Boeing 737-286/Adv reg. EP-AGA (msn 21317). This refurbished forty-year-old aircraft serves the Iranian government as a VIP aircraft and is maintained by Iran Air.

EP-IFA directed towards Iran Air hangar for passenger disembark and arrival event

EP-IFA received within Iran Air hangar at THR

EP-IFA passenger disembark including IRIG and Airbus VIPs

Disembarking VIPs: 

Fabrice Brégier, Airbus CEO (left)

Abbas Ahmad Akhond, Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development (center)

Farhad Parvaresh, Chairman and Managing Director of Iran Air (background, center)

Arrival event for EP-IFA within Iran Air hangar at THR

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, with Airbus CEO Fabrice Brégier. Salehi was instrumental in achieving the JCPOA, clearing the way for new passenger airline aircraft deliveries to Iran.

According to Airbus: "The delivery complies with all relevant international laws. Airbus coordinated closely with regulators in the EU, US and elsewhere to ensure understanding and full compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA)." [source]

Iran Air EP-IFA air crew member before port side CFM International CFM56-5B3/3 high-bypass turbofan aircraft engine

Photos: Mohammad Ali Marizad at Tasnim News Agency,  Mehdi Bolourian at Fars News Agency