As a result of economic sanctions against Iran , Iran Air was unable to expand or replace its fleet . Last time Iran Air was delivered brand-new Western aircraft prior to the 2016 lifting of nuclear-related sanctions was in 1994 when it received two Airbus A300-B4s in compensation for the downing of Iran Air Flight 655 by an American cruiser in 1988 . In 2001 , Iran Air purchased 6 second-hand Airbus A300s from Turkey , but only after two years , all 6 of them ended up grounded at airports in Tehran , Mashhad and Moscow . This caused significant controversy in Iran where officials cited GE engine design flaw and subsequent overheating as the reason for grounding the planes . One of these 6 planes was later confirmed to have returned to service by 2010
Iran Air Flight 655
Iran Air Flight 655
Iran Air