Iran buy passenger planes from Qatar

The Iranian minister of Roads and Urban Development said Qatar is likely to sell passenger planes to Iran, the English language Tehran Times daily reported Thursday. Ali Nikzad said Wednesday that Iran may buy passenger planes from Qatar in an effort to renew its aging aircraft fleet, said the report. The second-hand planes to be possibly bought from Qatar are less than seven years old, according to Nikzad. Iran's aging air fleet has suffered several air disasters involving both civil and military aircraft in recent years, leaving dozens killed. Experts said the U.S.-imposed sanctions against Iran, which prevented its allies from selling aircraft or aircraft parts to the country, have undermined safety standards of Iran's civil and military aviation fleet and are increasing the likelihood of more air disasters.