Iran Air’s 3rd new Airbus airliner arrives at Tehran

Iran Air on 25MAR2017 received its latest fleet addition: Airbus A330-243E, reg. EP-IJB (msn 1586).

Aircraft originally ordered by Avianca Brasil reg. PR-OCF; stored by Airbus Industrie since JAN2015.

This marks the 3rd Airbus passenger jet received by Iran Air following JCPOA and the agreement's stipulated resumption of new civil airliner acquisitions.

Iran Air Flight IR700 TLS-THR arrives 25MAR2017 at 17:43 hrs

Rolls Royce Trent 772B-60 with activated thrust reverser

In the distance: IRIAF Boeing 747-100 series aircraft at THR

Iran Air Goldhofer AST-series towbarless aircraft tractor pulls EP-IJB

EP-IJB passes two tired-looking Boeing 747 aircraft, including 41 year-old Iran Air Boeing 747SP-86, reg. EP-IAA (msn 20998 / 275).

Also visible is an Iran Air Douglas DC12-44 Heavy Aircraft Tractor.

EP-IJB received towed for reception at Iran Air Engineering and Maintenance facility hangar

EP-IJB guided towards Iran Air Engineering and Maintenance facility hangar

Pilot in command of Iran Air Flight IR700 waves to reception at THR

EP-IJB received inside Iran Air Engineering and Maintenance facility hangar

EP-IJB marks the third Airbus aircraft received, with ninety-seven more deliveries expected as a result of JCPOA.

Livery detail for EP-IJB. Aircraft seating configuration is C32 Y206 (same as EP-IJA)

Main landing gear and starboard engine detail of EP-IJB

 

Right: Older Airbus wide-body twin-engine jet airliner continues to be engaged in apparent heavy maintenance visit (HMV).

Photos: Mehdi Bolourian at Fars News Agency, Asghar Khamseh at Mehr News Agency

Iran-backed Iraqi Harakat al-Nujaba defending Damascus - Imagery

Imagery recently uploaded depicting Iran-backed Iraqi Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (HHN) deployed at Damascus; participating alongside Pro-Syrian Arab Republic forces in the Jobar and Abbasin district against current offensive conducted by Al-Qaeda aligned forces.

HHN small unit force equipped with accessorized AK-type assault rifles and RPG launcher fitted with what may be an Iranian PG-7-AT projectile.

Right-side arm patch imagery appears to feature likenesses of Ayatollah Khamenei and Grand Ayatollah Sistani.

Detail of patch featuring likenesses of Ayatollah Khamenei and Grand Ayatollah Sistani

Far right: Cleric associated with  Iraqi Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, holding what may be a smart phone

Non-HHN personnel, appearing to coordinate movements of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba

Non-HHN personnel patch, featuring imagery of cross and shield

Non-standardized outfitting and equipment of Iraqi Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujab

Depicted HHN small unit deployment, transported in two late model Hilux trucks 

COMMENT: Publicity serves to promote multinational aspect of allied forces aligned with Syrian Arab Republic, in the war against Al-Qaeda aligned forces and ISIL.

[H/T Amir Toumaj at Foundation for Defense of Democracies]

NAJA pre-Nowruz assembly exercise at Tehran

Iran media imagery dated 20MAR2017 depicting Iran Metropolitan Police pre-Nowruz assembly exercise at Tehran:

Formal review by NAJA Chief of Police Brig. Gen. Hossein Ashtari, with Tehran PD Chief Brig. Gen. Hossein Sajedinia. They are paraded in a Fath Safir ("Ambassador") multipurpose vehicle, of a type similar to that provided to Iran's regional allies in the current war against ISIL.

In the foreground can be seen Iranian-assembled Saipa (Kia) Cerato sedans, recently delivered to the NAJA Highway Patrol. [see HERE]

Newer issue BDUs in a MARPAT-inspired woodland digital camouflage pattern; similar in appearance to that issued to IRGC-GF and regional allies such as Lebanese Hezbollah.

Detail of newer BDU woodland digital camouflage pattern

Older style cap worn by NAJA captain at right, among others outfitted with the newer style

Motorized anti-riot contingent, dismounted and adjacent to NAJA newer-issued small displacement dual purpose motorcycles.

NAJA anti-riot force, current incarnation of body armor and protective equipment. Note in background: the iconic Azadi ("Freedom") Tower.

Reverse view of NAJA anti-riot force protective equipment

NAJA police force outfitted with protective equipment and issued with the older style woodland pattern BDUs

NAJA Tehran Metropolitan Police sergeant major and 2nd sergeant major among officer ranks; at attention beside recently delivered Saipa (Kia) Cerato sedans.

Photos: Mohammad Ali Marizad at Tasnim News Agency

Qeshm Airlines adds Airbus A319 to fleet

Qeshm Airlines has obtained an Airbus A319 that was put into service 19MAR2017. Photo and details rendered below:

Airline: Qeshm Airlines

Aircraft: Airbus A319-111

Registration: EP-SAS (cn 2091)

Location: Mashhad- Shahid Hashemi Nejad International (MHD / OIMM) 

Date: 19MAR2017

Photographer: Ata Tavanaei

Notes: Seen above in simplified Qeshm livery, this aircraft previously provided by AviaAM-Leasing to Khors Aircompany. Age of aircraft is 13.4 years-old.

Iran and Pakistan Navies conduct joint exercise at Gulf of Oman

Iran and Pakistan held joint naval exercises near southern Iranian waters, following the 15MAR2017 departure of a visiting Pakistani Navy flotilla from Bandar Abbas.

Pakistani Navy flotilla comprised PNS Tippu Sultan frigate (with Alouette III SA-319 helicopter) and PNS Jurrat fast attack craft.

Commander of Iran’s First Naval Zone Admiral Hossein Azad stated at the time of departure the exercise would take place east of the Strait of Hormuz. He added that Iran Navy ships would consist of IRINS Jamaran "destroyer" (with helicopter) and a missile-launching "frigate." The commander noted that combined, some 800 personnel were to participate in the exercise.

Western naval classifications of "frigate" and "fast attack craft" are generally referred to by Iran Navy as "destroyer" and "frigate," respectively. Likewise, Western naval classification for PNS Tippu Sultan is referenced as "frigate," while the Pakistan Navy refers to the vessel as a "destroyer."

 File photos for vessels involved are as follows: 

IRINS Jamaran (76) Moudge class guided missile frigate (FFGH)

Foreground: Iran Navy Kaman class (Combattante II) fast attack craft-missile (PGGF)

PNS Tippu Sultan (D 185) Tariq (Amazon) class (Type 21) frigate (FFGH)

PNS Jurrat (1023) Jurrat class fast attack craft-missile (PTG)

EP-MNM returns to Mahan Air after wartime wet-lease by SyrianAir

Airbus A300-605R Reg. EP-MNM (cn 773) returns to Mahan Air, resuming domestic route service on 18MAR2017. Since 13AUG2016 aircraft had been wet-leased to SyrianAir, effecting assistance to Iran's regional ally during a critical phase of the Syrian conflict. Meantime, Syria has received Airbus A340 aircraft indirectly through Mahan Air; believed relieving SyrianAir of requirement for this aircraft.

[File photo by Ata Tavanaei taken on 30NOV2015 at MHD]

EP-MNM as it appeared days before delivery to SyrianAir. While in Syrian service, aircraft flew regular international routes to destinations in Iran and particularly Iraq. Aircraft may have rendered logistical support to the war effort of Syrian Arab Republic during the time of Battle of Aleppo.

[File photo by Hasan Fereydoon taken on 03AUG2016 at THR]

Zagros Air swaps to more recent, stretched Airbus aircraft - UPDATED

UPDATE: Iran Aseman Airbus A320-231 Reg. EP-ZAR (cn 476) effective 16MAR2017 in full certification after transfer from Zagros Air.

[File photo by Sadra Mosalla taken 17MAR2017 at THR]

Above: Zagros Air A320-231 Reg. EP-ZAZ (cn 430) effective 13MAR2017 in full certification after transfer to Iran Aseman Airlines. Note: this 23.8 year-old aircraft leased from Aercap.

[File photo by Eshan BG taken 02JAN2017 at THR]

Above: Airbus A321-211 (cn2055) as it appeared in 2015. This 13.5 year-old aircraft now Khors Air Reg. UR-CQB, ferried 14MAR2017 KBP-THR on wet-lease to Zagros Air.

[File photo by Got Perre Andre taken 2015]

Assembly of Iran police at Tehran Railway Station

Imagery from Iran media depicting 16MAR2017 assembly of Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Persian acronym: "NAJA") railway police at Tehran railway station:

NAJA railway police commander, Brig. Gen. 2C Ali Akbar Shahi reviews honor guard at Tehran Railway Station. Note honor guards Iranian license-built G3 type battle rifles.

Assembly of NAJA railway police officer ranks, including (left to right): captain, colonel, captain, brigadier general 2nd class, major and lieutenant colonel.

NAJA railway police Iran Khodro Samand vehicles. Note green/white NAJA vehicle license plates.

NAJA railway police non-commisioned motor officers aside a variety of small displacement dual sport motorcycle. Helmet variety suggests a policy of personal issue.

NAJA railway police motorized teams comprised of second sergeant majors and small displacement dual sport motorcycles.

NAJA railway police motorized teams; mobile at the Tehran Railway Station

NAJA model year 2008 Honda CB1300 Super Four Pearl Sunbeam White (Special Edition) pursuit motorcycle.

NAJA railway police assigned canine unit

Address of NAJA railway police commander Brig. Gen. 2C Ali Akbar Shahi

 

Tehran Railway Station, located in Rahahan Square at the foot of Valiasr Street in the southern part of the capital of Iran. This historic building was designed in 1928-29 by Polish-Ukrainian architect Władysław Horodecki and constructed by a German engineer in 1930. [source: Wikipedia]

Photos: Omodvahabzadeh at Fars News Agency